Your Life Is By Design

Did you ever stop to think that the creator - the designer of the universe - also designed the course of your life before you were ever born? It is your path, and no one else's. It is planned specifically for you, but it is up to you to discern and follow it.

Paul often compares the Christian life to a race. Every foot of that race is planned by God himself, complete with his own testings, and allowing Satan's temptations and life's obstacles for each of us to deal with. The secret to successful negotiation of the course is obedience to the principles he has laid out for us in His Word. It is also an endurance test.

The obstacles along the way range from huge to tiny. It may be described as similar to driving down a highway which is lined with distractions and detours, places to stop. Our obstacles can range from gross sin to more subtle things like the busyness of life, jobs, families, hobbies, even church involvements. Anything that takes priority over our relationship with the Lord, or causes us to disobey, can lead us down a wrong exit.

Your greatest competitor is your own sin nature and how much influence you allow Satan to exercise over you, because God will allow him to tempt and test you.

You are being observed and evaluated every step of the way by many witnesses - even when you think you are alone.

It will require great patience and total focus on Jesus Christ.

You will need great determination to succeed because many temptations will be set up for you.

It will require your willingness to be chastened when you take a wrong turn - and to not become discouraged by the chastening, knowing that the motive is great love for you by God, your Father, for your welfare and successful completion, in order that you may qualify for a position in his kingdom as a child and heir.

You will be expected to learn humility and serve the legitimate needs of others through dying to self (personal desires).

You will serve God with reverence and godly fear.

Then you will be able to say, with Paul:

"For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand.
I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:
Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing."

2 Timothy 4:6-8

For more about the race:
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hebrews%2012&version=KJV

A Child of The King