Trade And Destiny

In everyday life we make trades. Whether we trade consciously or unconsciously, these transactions affect our destiny. Some people believe in the idea of fixed destiny that nothing can change, but there is really nothing like that. Though the bible talks about predestination which means God has a purpose for his children, the fulfillment does not automatically happen. Whether we fulfill our destiny or not depends heavily on our daily transactions.

The bible tells us a story of a young man who traded his birthright for red porridge. "Once when Jacob was cooking stew, Esau came in from the field, and he was exhausted. And Esau said to Jacob, 'Let me eat some of that red stew, for I am exhausted!' Jacob said, 'Sell me your birthright now.' Esau said, 'I am about to die; of what use is a birthright to me?' Jacob said, 'Swear to me now.' So he swore to him and sold his birthright to Jacob. Then Jacob gave Esau bread and lentil stew, and he ate and drank and rose and went his way. Thus Esau despised his birthright.`` (Genesis 24:29-34)

Thus Esau despised his birthright. He ate, drank, arose, and went his way without really understanding that he has made a transaction that will forever hurt him. Oh, how blindly people trade something truly valuable for a momentary gain? To Esau, 'what is destiny when I am so hungry'. How often many are easily blinded at the moment to go after the lesser things. The Bible counsels: 'See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many. See that no one is sexually immoral, or is godless like Esau, who for a single meal sold his inheritance rights as the oldest son. Afterward, as you know, when he wanted to inherit this blessing, he was rejected. Even though he sought the blessing with tears, he could not change what he had done.' (Hebrews 12:15-17)

What are you trading your time, energy, and opportunity for? We can live our lives in a way that takes us closer to God's dream for us or in a way that takes us further and further away. Our future has a lot to do with how we trade our time and other resources we have today. Time for instance is an asset that when not properly traded can lead to great regret. So what are you using your time for? What kind of investment are you making today? The bible talks about the impact of our investment on our future: 'Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life.' (Galatians 6:7-8) What are you investing in today? You can't fill your head with junk every day and expect God to communicate through you afterward.

Your destiny is precious to God. Your future is very important to him. He is not willing that anyone should perish. That is why he wants us to trade consciously. His desire for us is for us to make the proper exchange of what he has given us today in a way that enables us to gain what he wants us to have tomorrow. The pleasures of this world are very enticing, but the master does not want us to gain worldly pleasure and lose our place in his plan. He wants us to manage our today in a way that positions us to have the future or destiny that he plans for us. He won't force his plan to be fulfilled in your life, but if you are willing and humble, he will teach you and guide you on the path that reveals his greatness in your life.

When the pressure to trade fleshly comes, remember what the bible says about the disciplined sower: 'Those who wept as they went out carrying the seed will come back singing for joy, as they bring in the harvest.' (Psalm 126:6) Also, remember that becoming what God wants requires you to understand the right investment to make, the instructions of the spirit, and the 'good things' that you're not required to do. Never allow the 'good things' to stop you from having God's best for you. Don't gain that relationship and lose your destiny. Your destiny is precious to God, trade wisely today.