Destiny is Not a Destination

Introduction

Most people think that destiny is a location. Destiny is not simply a destination, but it is the embodiment of your experiences, wrapped into the web of your life’s journey. When you embrace all of who you are, you embrace your divine existence. You are purpose. Destiny is in, around, and made up of you. Destiny is who you are. - Gabby

At 12 years old while bed ridden in the hospital, as I writhed in pain I asked myself a question, what is life? I philosophically ruminated on how something I couldn’t see but could only feel brought so much suffering. I may have been too young to ponder these types of thoughts but I did, and it was stressful. I tried to figure out time and space continuum. I visualized atoms, molecules, anything that would potentially distract the nerve reactors that were pulsating in my body causing me agony. My surgery was administered in order to assist the bones in my feet to grow properly. I knew my pain would benefit me in the long-run, but in those painful moments, I wished I never opted to be cut open. Nothing offered could alleviate me from the pain. The morphine, nurses, and my parent’s prayers tried to lessen the pain but all of the commotion surrounding my being uncomfortable irritated me. The deep bone throbbing conjured up thoughts of how the nervous system alerts us of any abnormal functioning in our body. Although these physical alarms are necessary, I desired in that moment to opt out of the subscription. I coveted children who were spending their summer playing outdoors. I was subjected to a cold hospital room and many months indoors confined in a wheelchair.

I knew the pain would end one day and the struggle would be worth it, but my wounds wrapped in bandages were excruciating.  So, I continued to ask myself questions to keep my mind busy, thinking that the questions would somehow ease the pain. I inquired, how does the universe, my genetic makeup, my belief system and values make up the life I currently have? How does God decide my ethnicity? What’s beyond this life and what was before it? I wanted to know why some people were burdened with certain deformities or illnesses and others escaped them. I was bothered with my understanding that we couldn’t choose if we are born into wealth, poverty, pain or discomfort. We can’t choose when we die or how long loved ones will live. Is there any part of life that we can control? What we can dictate seems limited. As some questions still remain unanswered and others found their way to me I began to have an understanding. The small portion we are able to govern can be quite powerful if we learn how to master it. This includes our thoughts, emotions, daily actions, and overall viewpoint on life. We’re allowed this small portion for a reason.

When you’re in as much pain as I was, you can become withdrawn into your thoughts. As I began to ask God; “Why am I going through this at this very moment?” Escaping to my mind became a sanctuary. These conversations I had with myself and God in that hospital room stuck with me. They shaped the idea of who I wanted to become in life. Everyone finds ways to cope with life. We all attach to a system of beliefs that helps us maneuver through the minutiae of existing.  I want to be able to provide the world with hope-knowing that there will be many days, to many individuals that seem hopeless. Yet, if you are alive today, your story is not over. There is always a reason to believe.  This is why human kind clings to hope. Hope does not die it is the constant flicker in the world waiting for someone to fan its flame. It reinforces the invigorating realization of when there is a will there is a way.

My awakening to purpose began with this experience. Others have different events that shape and mold their outlook on life, this was one of mine. Later, when I became a theology student I accepted the idea that some aspects of life like my surgeries were beneficial. They became intricate pieces of my journey. If I felt my struggles were all in vain I would have disdain for life and resent a loving God misunderstanding who He is. It would seem cruel to me to serve a God who found pleasure in my pain or even worse allowed things to happen but didn’t restore. God is not like man. What He does is reveal his essence to us which we translate through human experience. Through this experience one understands His love, need, and want for connection with us. I couldn’t accept the notion that a great God wouldn’t utilize the difficulties of life for greater good. Therefore, I accepted if God is good, all knowing, and concerned about my human existence nothing I go through is insignificant. I found it essential to always look for the bigger picture to a smaller circumstance. We have to understand that some of our biggest struggles are simply leading or preparing us for divine destiny. They emerge for a larger- greater reason. Yes, there are some situations that are simply happenstance because life is an ebb and flow. It can’t be contained or controlled but we adapt and existent nevertheless. We make the uncontrollable purposeful. As we are conscious in an imperfect world there is the probability unfavorable things will happen, just because. It’s cause and effect. A fallen world equates to unfavorable things having the plausibility of occurring. Within our dimension, the resistance to the light in the world allows for darkness to breed evil and this is why bad things happen. A gift given to humans is the ability to amend, thrive, overcome, and live beyond the things that transpire that we have no jurisdiction over.

Greek mythology is popular for many reasons. One being its aptitude to express narratives where mystic beings from humble beginnings accomplish great feats. Despite flaws or amazingly difficult circumstances they remind us that we too have the ability to beat the odds if we dare to rise above status quo and make it happen. As an adult, I look back at my hospital experience and realized it made me strong. I know what it is like to be immobilized, stuck, and in need of constant help. This was humbling yet it strengthened my faith, fight, and will to create a better life out the ‘cards’ I was dealt with.  I was able to gain an understanding that hardship doesn’t necessarily have to break you. It can become a tool to catapult you. That’s only if you let it.  I used this same mindset when I was fired for the first time from a new job. I was angry and hurt but I knew that when life sends a curve ball I don’t have to swing. Good baseball players let these types of pitches blow by. Curve balls aren’t worth fighting to swing at because they trick the eye and almost everyone misses them. So, when unfortunate circumstances happen, like a curve ball observe it then let it roll. Don’t put all your energy into it! Then, when an opportune moment occurs, when the perfect pitch is thrown your way you will be focused enough to grab hold of it, swinging at that perfect toss and hit a home run.

This book helps you answer the questions of whether your existence is happening to you or for you? What amount of your life is based on decisions and choices good or bad?  We will explore ways to maximize living out your divine purpose whether you are in the best or worst place in your life. I want to transform the millennial mind to release all parts of the journey the good, bad, and ugly. We win when we choose to see life as a feat to be conquered and not battered by. Life doesn’t have to be a downhill spiral to death. With God, it can be a continual ladder of a life well lived. Each step, easy or hard leads to somewhere great if you just simply keep walking. We live in a world that is so uncertain. Release and rest in the promises of God.

The great philosopher Solomon who is attributed to writing Ecclesiastes, reminds the readers that life is going to be exactly what it is. A culmination of experiences, choices, and events. Yet, what matters most when our fleeting time here is done is what me make of our existence.  We don’t have the pleasure of knowing when it will end, so we must live with intent and with direction. You’re never too young to grasps this. Ecclesiastes 12:13 say’s... “Here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind. For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.” This supports the ideology of humans having purpose, specifically divine purpose. If we are to be judged on how our life is lived in the short time we have on earth, there is something we must be doing while we are here.  We were created with different passions and talents. Our passions guide us to the career, vocation, or call we are ultimately supposed to live out. For many, our reason for being, our purpose is wrapped in a search. Like a plant, we must bud, fight through some dirt, and then grow into our future. I like many others, had to excavate my purpose and develop into it. I used the clues of what I was good at and what I loved doing to get there. When it eventually surfaced, I felt that inner peace within me that I had surrendered to the truth of my calling that was always inside of me. I was, who I was destined to be all along. I just had to get to the core of who I was to find it. My hope for you after reading each chapter, embracing the take a way, and praying each prayer that you will be invigorated to allow God to reveal to you why you are here. My desire is that after reading this book you lose the burden of hoping to arrive at some destination called success. I pray you embrace the understanding that destiny is inside of you, it is who you are allow your present to catch up to your future. I hope a fire will be ignited giving you a fervor to chase your wildest dreams and to work to make it happen. We have one life on this side of heaven. Within this chasm of time and space I want you to fight the urge to be mediocre, that is the easy way out. Beat the “matrix” and pave the way to your best life, the one most fulfilled. It may not be unflawed and that is okay, because life lived within your divine destiny no matter how imperfect the journey may be, will be worth it.

If you’d like to continue reading pre-order your copy of Gabby’s new book by clicking the link below!