{My God-Given Identity} Week 7 Mid-Week Follow Up


Hi Praying Friends,

When God first began to make it clear to me that He had entrusted to me the gift of communication, I was stunned. I literally had no idea. I had forgotten how I had loved to write as a young girl.

Then, as I cautiously put one timid foot in front of the other, I kept saying, “Are you sure, God? Are you really sure?” And each time, His answer was “Yes”.

So, if you are feeling fearful or uncertain about pursuing your God-given destiny, I understand. It takes hard work, perseverance, and a stubborn ability to trust God in the face of adversity. The truth is, walking in the fullness of your God-given destiny is not easy.

But I also know that God is greater than all that opposes us. He is mightier than all the lies inside us screaming “You’ll never make it!”. When we dare to step into our God-given destinies, we may meet a Goliath or two. But like David, we can swing the slingshot of God’s truth and declare, “You come to me with a sword, spear, and javelin, but I come to you in the name of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies—the God of the armies of Israel…” (1 Samuel 17:45)

I encourage you to pursue Him and pursue your God-given destiny. And know that as you do, He will faithfully walk with you every step of the way.

Keep praying strong the rest of this week regarding your God-given destiny, and know I am praying for with and for you! And please, let me know what you believe your God-given destiny is. Are you walking in it? Walking toward it? On your way?

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5 comments:

Unknown said...

For me, understanding and living in my God given destiny are as much about sorting through what I am not supposed to do as pinpointing what I am to spend my time on. I tend to jump into many things and then get overwhelmed and burnt out. God used the study this week to keep me from taking on a leadership role that I was asked to do. He reminded me of His purpose and slowed me down from once again diving into something "good" but not "best". I think he is calling me long term into some kind of speaking and writing ministry and now wants me to use the resources He has blessed me with to help folks in Africa. Appreciate the centering back on what He has already revealed so that I can do those things well.

Unknown said...

Julie, thank you for your encouraging post this morning! I appreciate the reminder that God's grace is bigger, stronger and more powerful than any of the Goliath's that may come against us as we move forward in pursuing God's plan for our life. God bless you and have a great day!

Anonymous said...

Still don't know what I am to do, except to keep on helping my family. Thank you for all your prayers, Julie! I pray for all of us in this Study.-carolanne-

Dee C. said...

I believe my God-designed destiny is rooted in compassion. As a wise friend once said, "God don't waste no pain!" I have lived through many fiery storms in the last few years, including the diagnosis of two very rare diseases in my daughter. It has colored my life, but the pain and grief has also enlarged my capacity for compassion and perseverance. I am a single mom completing my degree in Health Studies and will pursue a Healthcare MBA. God is going to use my abilities in business management together with compassion to help many people. I don't know exactly what that looks like, but I know He has certainly blessed my journey. This study has made me more cognizant of my need to pray for myself. The old airline adage..."Put the oxygen mask on yourself first" applies well. Thank you.

Mary T said...

Julie, I have truly been blessed by each week of this study, affirming my faith in God's truth and promises to me...but this chapter has been my absolute favorite! In high school (1972), I was given the option to write a paper or do community service at an institution for what were then called the mentally retarded. I chose the community service and even though I didn't know it, this choice blessed my life. I graduated and accepted a job at the DMV. Everyone dreads the DMV, but I loved my job, helping and meeting people every day. At 21, I became a single mom of a beautiful baby girl and moved back home. During this time, I took a leave of absence and went to college, blessed with grants and the assistance of my loving parents and family. I married and had another beautiful daughter. Two years later, I began my employment as a Special Education teacher assistant! My journey was only beginning as I became more and more involved in volunteerism and advocating for children and families, not just of children with special needs. I had a lovable baby boy and eventually was divorced. God continued to bless my family and my journey. I became a voluntary caregiver for a little boy aged 9, whose also single mom had no help, no paid services, and he became a part of our family, shared of course with his mom! He was with us for 14 years before his mom found a great group home! I will not bore you with the list of the divine appointments, opportunities and accomplishments that I have walked with my Jesus through and for the glory of God. The one story I will tell is that in 2007 my daughter became pregnant. We knew early on that the baby would face major challenges. I am proud to say that with no hesitation, my daughter chose life as they offered her other options. On February 6, 2008, as I held my daughter's hand, my grandson Andrew was born hanging on to life by a thread. His severely deformed limbs and the difficulty to intubate gave me resolve in my faith and God's will! He survived that moment! He was diagnosed with an extremely rare genetic disorder with no documented research of survival past 3 months of age. We, at least one of us, stayed with him 24/7 in the NICU from that moment on. They gave Andrew 3 days to live and devastated my daughter by asking her to sign a release for an autopsy. It was at that point that I knew God had been preparing me my whole life to take care of my own grandson! I called the Chief of Pediatrics and proceeded to remind him that they were not God! And if they were not prepared to do everything in their power to save his life, then we knew someone who was...the One True God and He would help us find someone who would have hope for Andrew. Andrew's care began to change! We, well, God through us!, were in control. 103 days later, we brought Andrew home. Fast forward to now, Andrew has been a student in my class since he turned 3. He is included into a typical kindergarten class and although he has very little movement, and is trached and vented(since birth), he communicates via a computer eye gaze device, is on level with his peers in concept development and cognitive abilities and is well on the way of his own journey to his God-given destiny! I close, in tears of great praise and joy, knowing that my family and my life has been truly blessed by an all powerful, everliving Triune God! May others be filled by His hope, His joy, His peace and the knowledge that our God has a plan for each of us, to prosper us, not to harm us, to give us a hope and a future! I ask this in Jesus' name. Amen.

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