Patterns to Destiny

Have you ever paid attention to your patterns? Do your friend(s), family, co-workers, significant other, your children, teammates, etc., ever predict what you are going to do before you do it? Maybe you have a nickname based upon something  you do often. Our patterns can sometimes be so noticeable that we are recognized by them. If you are around others long enough usually your patterns will be picked up. It is very important as children of God, we begin to pay attention to our patterns ourselves, which come from our daily decisions, upbringing and encounters. This is very vital to becoming free and operating the way God wants us to.  

[Take a moment to reflect on your routines and/or patterns]

Patterns indicate who we are and where we are headed. In the bible many people became cursed because of decisions that turned into patterns they did not stop. The Israelites in the book of Judges became cursed because of their patterns of Idolatry (Judges 2:12-14). Samson became cursed because of his inability to stop his pattern of philandering with harlots. This unrelenting pattern by Samson, which God hates, opened the door for Delilah to strike, then his strength and sight were taken as a result  (Judges 16).  The Israelites sins and disobedience toward God rendered them to be sold to their enemies and stripped of their strength, just like Samson. On the otherhand, there are many people in the bible that are blessed and fruitful because of their patterns. Abraham is someone who became blessed and a father of many nations because of his patterns of obedience and great faith towards God (Genesis 22:1-19). Abraham's great faith in the Lord caused God to sware blessings upon him. The Israelites' patterns of obedience in the book of Joshua granted them access to a major inheritance from God.

Patterns are one major part of our destiny, where we are currently, and where we are headed. You are where you are today because of patterns you have been making for years. Whether they are conscious patterns or not, they take you to a destination. Take a moment and think about yourself and your  decisions which have created your patterns. Are you sowing good patterns into the world? Would you like to change a few patterns about yourself?

We cannot escape patterns. This is how the Lord designed us. He created us to have the power to take ourselves to the destination He wants for us. This all has to do with patterns. Our patterns can make us have chaos or make us have peace. In the bible, it clearly states what will happen if we commit to decisions that create the patterns in our life God wants. It also clearly states what God hates, and what He does not want His children to engage in. The repercussions can be and are many times very severe. Deuteronomy 30:15-20  gives a short synopsis of what will happen in obedience to God's statutes for us and what will happen in disobedience. It's a MUST READ. Be mindful, every action we take is designed to take us somewhere -- Good or Bad. Our decisions determine whether we are moving forward or whether we are remaining in the same place, like the Israelites being stuck in the desert for 40 years (The Book of Numbers).  Depending on what our daily decisions are, will determine the patterns we create. If done consistently enough, naturally our decisions will lock us into a pattern which eventually creates a destination for us we may or may not want.  

The book of Daniel illustrates in varied fashions the protection, fruit, and prosperity God will bring to our life, if we commit ourselves one hundred percent to Him like he states in his word. God is looking for people who fear him and stand up for His word.

 Three men (Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah) were made to change their names to Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego because of the rule of King Nebuchadnezzar and his glorifying of idols. These three men were fully committed to God -- no matter what. King Nebuchadnezzar placed rules for everyone to bow at the idol when the trumpets sounded. In a refusal to fall down and worship king Nebuchadnezzar's golden image at the sound of music, the king requested the three men (Shadrach, Meshach, and abednego) of God be thrown into a fiery furnace.

King Nebuchadnezzar's rage was inflamed because of the men's rejection to the king's mandate.  King Nebuchadnezzar was so incensed by their stance for God and not with him, he increased the fiery furnace to extreme levels in an attempt to prove a point. The three men were bound and tossed into the fire to make an example in front of many. Because God received Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah's full commitment to not do what God considers evil, the Lord did not allow any of them to be touched by the fire in the furnace. Instead, the Lord came down from heaven into the furnace, unbound the three men and walked with them in the fire to keep His children safe, but also to show the governors, counselors, princes  and onlookers to see how God's children are protected when they trust in him with all their heart. When the three men were removed from the furnace not a hair on their body was singed. This is how our Lord works with those who are one hundred percent committed to Him -- no matter what.

The decisions and patterns of Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah resulted in a full commitment and dedication to God, which brought them to a destiny and promise of protection from evil and fruit into their lives just like God's word says. If you trust in the Lord, it must be with all your heart (Proverbs 3:5), because God wants to show you who He is like He did for Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah.