How we walk through life every day is who we have decided to be, moment by moment.  Are we a dog-kicker, a worship leader, a game-player, a life-giver, a phone-talker, a poor-feeder, a love-giver, a porn-watcher, a Jesus-person…who are we? Our destiny is right now, not tomorrow, not later tonight.

Self-Actualization is the drive (free will choice) to become all we were made to be, which is the opposite of self-potential – what we could be. (Bruxy Cavey)

While everyone has potential, walking in our destiny is listening to Holy Spirit, flexing our God given, spiritual muscles NOW to reflect the Image of God, for the Glory of Christ Jesus. It is loving like Jesus loved NOW, as the person we were created to be, not planning or hoping to get there some day.

I have mentioned before that I was in the Air Force.  The military is a volunteer force, as you know. Basic training is the first step of service. Basic training is a human imposed breaking of your independent spirit in order to instill inside of you an identity that makes you part of the team, thinking and acting for the team, and for each member of the team, rather than yourself first. Self-preservation takes a back seat to the preservation of the mission, the team, as well as those you have been tasked to protect. I see these elements in Jesus as He constantly walks a path of self-sacrifice for the Will of God. Of course, Jesus was also so much more. But why He chose to BE that way for us is the question.  What was His motivation (mindset)? Did God force Jesus to come down and sacrifice Himself for us? No – Jesus volunteered out of love, and He knew Himself well to be able to accomplish such an incredible, and difficult feat. But even Jesus started as a child, being trained for greater and greater tasks over time, with understanding of God’s Word, and by the leading of Holy Spirit.

Tit 2:11-14 For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works. NKJV

Redeemed people are given Holy Spirit to guide and comfort us. By exercising our free will, we choose to BE like Jesus, or not, starting with small decisions in our daily life. God’s Word, along with Holy Spirit, trains us as part of God’s team to be God’s hand of love here, now. Right now. This very moment. But we must maintain the heart (mindset) of a volunteer. God will not treat us like robots. God wants a working, personal relationship with you. Now; and again…now. Not later.

Practice BEing because you want to – as an expression of free will working with Holy Spirit. That’s self-actualization. That’s walking in faith and expressing God’s Image. Don’t practice because you are obliged to; that’s a legal response, and it will dull your relationship with Holy Spirit and expose your free will to guilt and shame, and lead to rebellion, or a religious spirit. Choose (set your mind) to want to do so.

If we stay open to expressing God’s love, whatever that looks like at the moment, we will BE as created to be, rather than something less, something compromised…something eventual. We will BE walking in our manifest destiny, fully self-actualized for the Kingdom of God, not walking in hope for the future, or just plain apathy for today.

Jn 7:37-38 On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink.  He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.” NKJV

Jn 13:34-35 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another.  By this all will know you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” NKJV

Blessings!

Leaona Huston