Our Destiny as Directed by God

By Dr. Herman O. Kelly, Jr., Columnist

I was lecturing in my African American studies class and began to discuss some noted historical figures. I realized my path was connected to some of these prominent persons. As I lectured my spirit was “strangely warmed.” I reflected on my journey from Jacksonville, Florida to Southern Louisiana. I can frame my journey by saying, “Our destiny as Directed by God.” People say God can take you places you can only imagine and dream; I am a witness to this in my own experience. Mandela writes, “I have crossed many rivers.” I, too, have crossed many rivers in the hands of a gracious God. In the end, our destiny belongs to God.

As I mature and grow as a seasoned pastor in ministry and age, I reflect and frame my destiny with the eyes of God in focus. As a pastor with 37 years of experience, and 25 years of university teaching experience, I know that my destiny belongs to God. Yes, we trust God, I trust God, I also know God.

First, we must understand and acknowledge the author of the journey. If our destiny belongs to God, then we must allow God to take charge of the journey. I plan all the time. I pack weeks before a trip. I need a road map to clarify where I am going in life. During this present moment in my existential positioning, I am reminded daily that my destiny (and yours) has always been directed by God. As I frame this discussion, I am also looking at my personal struggles in the journey. I struggle sometimes, because I want to be the author of my own journey. I want to be the captain of my soul. However, when we understand that our destiny belongs to God we respond differently regarding problems and challenges. Our trust grows in knowing God.

Second, we must come to know that destiny is not always smooth. Frederick Douglass said, “Without struggle, there is no progress.” Most of our growth happens in the crucible of struggle and difficulties. I have watched God move and continue to smooth the crooked, straight, and rough places in my struggles. (Isaiah 40:3) Our destiny is not free from struggle; destiny is composed of the bitter with the sweet. The beautiful roses in my grandmother’s rose garden smell lovely, but they also have thorns that make us bleed. Along our journey, our heart experiences joy, but our hearts also bleed from the meanness of this world.

Last, we must embrace our destiny with confidence and assurance. The assurance comes when we know and believe that God controls our destiny. Because I know who oversees my destiny,” and ask God to “guide my feet as I run this race.” The assurance is complete when we know who guides our feet and who holds our hands during the journey.

Dr. Herman O. Kelly, Jr. is Pastor of Grant Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Amite, Louisiana. He is an Adjunct Instructor of African and African American Studies/Human Sciences and Education at Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.