Kris Vallotton • July 26, 2022

5 Ways to Start Walking in Your Divine Destiny

It has become all too common in the church for many to defer to “God’s plan” for our lives. On its surface, it sounds like a “good, Christian” approach to life, but what if I told you it’s not true? That God does not have a plan for your life? Allow me to explain. I believe without a shadow of a doubt that God has a purpose for every single person on the planet, but I do not believe He has a plan for each person. What I mean by that is God has called each and every one of us to fulfill a particular role in the context of history, and there are 1001 ways He can get us there. Instead of a singular, pre-mapped path to your final destination, it’s a little bit more like a “choose your own adventure” story.
 
I want to propose to you that regardless of where you’re at in life, whether you have big dreams and have no idea where to begin, or you’ve tried to fulfill your destiny and keep hitting roadblocks, that with a heavenly perspective you can start walking towards your destiny today.

WHAT IF GOD DIDN'T HAVE A PLAN FOR JESUS' BIRTH

If you need a little more convincing on the idea of God’s purpose versus a tightrope plan, let’s take a look at Jesus’ life. Revelation chapter 13 tells us that Jesus was crucified from the foundation of the world. That means that before the world ever had a problem, God had an answer! It’s beautiful that He had this laid out from before the beginning; that His son, Jesus, would be born and die as a sacrifice for the sins of man—our sins that had not yet even occurred! But isn’t it interesting that in that grand purpose God had for the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, there was no room at the inn for Him to be born?

MAYBE THE ROAD ISN'T ALWAYS SMOOTH

 While I have heard—and even taught on—a lot of good prophetic significance in Jesus being born in a manger, the Bible says the reason why Jesus was born in a manger is simply because there was no room in the inn. Don’t you think if God planned Jesus’ birth from the foundation of the world, He would have made sure there was a place in the inn for him to be born? But God didn’t map out every single step to make sure everything was completely smooth and seamless. (Take a second here and realize that even if your life hasn’t gone seamlessly, it doesn’t mean that God’s not in it…) His Son was created with a purpose that would be accomplished regardless of whatever roadblocks arose. And so it is with His purpose for your life.

 

God does not intend for you passively await for some unknown point in time in the future; He is calling you to prepare today —right in this moment! No matter where you are in life, you are in an important part of the story of your destiny.

5 WAYS TO START WALKING IN YOUR DESTINY TODAY

Here are five keys to help give some focus and guidance on living your life intentionally with God’s purpose for you in mind:

 

1. DO ORDINARY THINGS IN AN EXTRAORDINARY WAY

 

When Saul was sent by his father to look for lost donkeys, he didn’t just give up when he couldn’t find them on his own. Instead he sought guidance from the prophet, Samuel, who ended up anointing him as king. His choice to perform this ordinary task in an extraordinary way ultimately led him to his destiny. Today face the ordinary things—the laundry, the administrative tasks in your job, taking out the trash, making your kids’ lunches—with great intention.

 

2. STEWARD YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES

 

You may be tempted to not take your current job or role seriously, but God is looking for you at your place of responsibility. After the birth of Jesus, angels showed up at the place where the shepherds were keeping watch over their sheep. In the gospels, Jesus came to Peter, Andrew, James, and John where they were fishing and mending their nets and called them to be his disciples. Where God told you to be responsible, that’s where He’s going meet you. If you need to adjust your attitude towards your job then today would be a great day to do that.

 

3. VIEW EVERY JOB AS TRAINING FOR YOUR DESTINY

 

When David was just a boy tending sheep, he killed a lion and bear with his bare hands when they attacked his flock. When the Israelites were faced with Goliath, David’s confidence in his ability to vanquish the giant won him an audience with the king, and it was his account of defeating the lion and the bear that convinced the king to let David fight Goliath. Like David, the things you are doing at your job now—when no one is looking—are training you for your ultimate destiny. Treat your current job with gratitude as God trains you to defeat your future giants.

 

4. BEHAVE LIKE YOU’RE PASSIONATE, EVEN WHEN YOU DON’T FEEL LIKE IT

 

In sports, a good team will rise to the occasion and “play up” when going against a stronger team. However, it’s the championship teams, the true winners, that play up all the time, no matter who they are playing. It’s really easy do your absolute best job when you’re feeling passionate, but an extraordinary person does this all the time—even when they don’t feel like it. How can you play up in your current season?

 

5. SEEK FIRST HIS KINGDOM

 

When Jesus brought the Kingdom down to us, He didn’t bring it as another thing to add to our list of jobs and priorities on earth—even if it’s at the top of that list. Rather, it is by and through the Kingdom that everything else in life flows through. He commanded to “seek first the Kingdom and His righteousness and all of these things will be added to you.” (Matthew 6:33) If you are seeking His Kingdom, you are not going to miss everything and anything God has for you. He is faithful to honor his word and fulfill his promises. Choose Him above all, and all of these things—including your extraordinary purpose—will be added to you.

TAKE A MINUTE TO REFLECT

If you’ve been living with a “tightrope plan” mentality then today I want to encourage you to put that behind you. Remember that the path is much bigger than you think, and that if you seek God’s Kingdom, you’re not going to miss it. Put the burden of that mentality at the feet of Jesus today so that you can pick up His peace and delight in its place. Then reflect on the 5 keys we talked about today and start walking in your divine purpose with Him! Does this resonate with you? How do you see yourself stepping into your destiny in this season? I’d love to hear about it in the comments!

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4 Spiritual Disciplines to Propel Your Growth in the New Year

By Kris Vallotton • January 1, 2025
As we step into 2025, people are often thinking about engaging in the time-honored yet unspoken custom of setting New Year’s Resolutions. Many people jump on the opportunity to develop new healthier habits and pursue positive change with the start of a brand new year. Most New Year's Resolutions revolve around diet and exercise, finances, relationships, and hobbies or personal interests. New Year's Resolutions help by giving people a vision for when they endure the challenges that come with change. Losing 100 pounds or being more diligent with saving money isn't always easy and vision gives pain a purpose! All of these areas are important to focus on, but oftentimes we neglect spiritual topics when forming our resolutions. As we focus on building our physical lives and pursuing health and wholeness with the New Year, it’s crucial not to overlook our spiritual growth and well-being. I’m going to share four spiritual disciplines you can grow in this New Year, along with practical tips to help you follow through. Some of these may appear simple, but when practiced consistently over a long period of time, they can lead to deep transformation! 1. Bible Reading This should come as no surprise, but it can be very difficult to find time on a busy day to sit down and read the Scriptures. Some people have a hard time sitting and being still to read while others are bombarded by the busyness of their lives. I want to encourage you to prioritize your time in the Word this year - I make sure to read at least one chapter each day. It might mean having to sacrifice something. Perhaps it’s waking up earlier to have an extra 30 minutes in your routine. Try leaving your Bible open on your kitchen counter the night before, so you see it in the morning. Maybe you can bring your Bible during your lunch break and have a meal with Jesus. You can even listen to the Bible on audio for your morning commute! My encouragement is to start small and build the habit. 2. Prayer Personal prayer can look different to everyone. Some people have no problem praying for over an hour a day, other people have a hard time finding a moment in an entire week! The goal here is to make sure that we are staying in communion with God. There may be sometimes where you only have two minutes to pray in-between meetings or running errands. There may be other times where you have to go into your room, lock your door and pray in secret for an extended period of time like the Bible says. Let me be clear: the goal is consistent communion with the Father. Try setting reminders or alarms on your phone to go off at certain parts of the day. It doesn't have to be long. These reminders can be specific like, “Pray for my family member” or “Pray for healing for this coworker.” You can write them down on pieces of paper and stick them to the walls in your house. 3. Community This may not feel like a discipline, but one of the most challenging things that a person's spiritual growth could face is solitude. When God created Adam he said that it was not good for man to be alone. We were created for community and Jesus was often found doing ministry and life around a group of people except for the times where he went alone to pray. Stepping out into community can be challenging. Maybe you struggle with fear of rejection, not fitting in, or you're scared of how people will respond when they really begin to know you. If you find yourself being isolated, reach out to some people. Text a friend that you know and trust and share that you want to spend more time around people. If you're part of a local church see what kind of small groups they have to offer. Community is a key for growth in 2025. Proverbs 27:17 says, “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” 4. Serving When Jesus was on earth he said in Matthew 20:28 that, “Just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.” Serving was at the center of Jesus’ ministry. He met the physical needs of people by providing food miraculously as well as the spiritual needs of people by offering salvation to everyone who would believe. When we serve people we are like Christ. There may be people coming to your mind already who have a need. They could be in your church family, or a friend from school or work. It doesn’t have to be someone you know! Try paying for someone’s coffee in line and leaving them with some encouragement. There are so many ways that we can serve people and make them feel seen and loved. When they feel seen and loved, they are often very receptive to the Gospel. The power in these disciplines isn’t just doing them once, but in repeating them over a long period of time. As Zechariah 4:10 reminds us, we should not despise small beginnings, for the LORD rejoices to see the work begin. My prayer for you is that what would start as spiritual disciplines would grow into spiritual devotion. That you would find joy in these things and that they would draw you closer to the Father!

3 Ways to Think Differently About Gratitude

By Kris Vallotton • November 27, 2024
During Christmas of 2012 Kathy and I learned a very valuable lesson about gratitude and entitlement… In years past leading up to Christmas we had always gotten a “Christmas want list” from each of our grandkids. Kathy would go through all the lists and pick out only a few items to buy for each of our grandkids. But that year Kathy decided to get them everything on their list! As we bought gifts our Christmas tree soon began to disappear behind a wall of wrapped presents. Christmas morning came and we gathered as a family as I shared the story of baby Jesus. I finished the story of our savior's birth and started handing out the presents. Over the course of 2 hours lights and ornaments began to emerge as our tree slowly became visible again. Suddenly I heard a whimpering cry to my left. I looked over to see my daughter giving a strong correction to one of her children. I went over to investigate and learned that the child was upset because, “Grandma missed one gift.” Kathy has overseen the administration for our businesses for our entire marriage. She’s looked over hundreds of spreadsheets, time cards, and other documents. I had a hard time believing that she would miss a gift on a Christmas list. Kathy went to our office and came back a moment later with a somber look on her face. “I did forget one gift,” she said with compassion. “I’m so sorry,” she explained while choking back tears. Trying to smooth the situation over, she added, “I’ll go tomorrow and buy the gift I missed.” In our quest to bless our family, we had unknowingly sown seeds of entitlement into the soil of their little hearts. Something that was a great sacrifice for us was disregarded in a child's expectation for more. We live in a world where entitlement runs rampant. It doesn’t always look like throwing a temper tantrum over a forgotten gift. Sometimes it can be the anger that comes when your coffee order takes too long, or it can be the person who is driving in front of you who's not driving your preferred speed limit. These small seeds of entitlement can take root in our heart and if we’re not careful they can lead to a life led by pride. Gratitude is what breaks entitlement in your life. I’m going to share 3 ways to think differently about gratitude this season. 1. Gratitude is a discipline. Gratitude is not merely a fleeting emotion but a discipline that aligns our hearts with God’s truth and His will. Gratitude requires intentionality, often going against the grain of our natural tendencies to complain or focus on what we lack. Scripture commands us to "give thanks in all circumstances" (1 Thessalonians 5:18), not because life is always easy, but because gratitude acknowledges God’s sovereignty and goodness regardless of our situation. Cultivating gratitude as a discipline trains our souls to see life through the lens of God’s faithfulness, fostering a spirit of humility and trust. It shifts our focus from temporal struggles to eternal promises, rooting our joy in the unchanging nature of God rather than the shifting sands of circumstance. 2. Gratitude changes your attitude about situations Gratitude has the power to transform our perspective on even the most challenging situations. From a biblical standpoint, it shifts our focus from what we lack to what God has already provided, reminding us of His faithfulness and provision. When we choose gratitude, we realign our hearts to trust in God's sovereignty and His ability to work all things for our good (Romans 8:28). This perspective doesn't necessarily change the situation itself, but it changes us —replacing fear, frustration, or bitterness with peace, hope, and contentment. Gratitude reframes trials as opportunities for growth and deepens our awareness of God's presence, enabling us to face life's difficulties with a renewed attitude of faith and trust. 3. Gratitude Cures Entitlement Gratitude is the antidote to entitlement. It shifts our hearts from demanding what we believe we deserve to recognizing every blessing as an unmerited gift from God. Entitlement breeds discontentment, rooted in the false belief that we are owed something, while gratitude humbles us, reminding us that all we have comes from God's grace. As James 1:17 says, "Every good and perfect gift is from above," and acknowledging this truth uproots the pride that fuels entitlement. Instead of fixating on unmet expectations, gratitude cultivates a spirit of thanksgiving, teaching us to celebrate God’s goodness and approach life with humility and joy. In this posture, we find freedom from the restless pursuit of "more" and learn the richness of contentment in Christ. As we reflect on the story of that Christmas morning and the lessons it taught us, it’s clear that gratitude is more than a seasonal sentiment—it’s a heart posture that can reshape our lives. Entitlement may creep in subtly, disguised as disappointment or frustration, but gratitude stands as its cure, redirecting our hearts toward humility and joy. This season, let’s commit to cultivating gratitude—not just for the blessings we see, but for the ways God works in every circumstance. May we remember that every good gift comes from Him, and may our hearts overflow with thanksgiving, transforming how we live, love, and give. What are you grateful for? Share in the comments below!

3 Practical Ways to Lift Your Spirits If You're Feeling Down this Holiday Season

By Kris Vallotton • November 20, 2024
For many the Holidays can be one of the most beautiful and anticipated times of the year and yet, for others, it can be filled with stress, striving and the straining of our wallets, time and energy. Some families are able to find fellowship in the festivities, gathered around tables with good tidings and joy. The holidays for them often seem similar to the portrayals in the Hallmark movies. At the same time, others are experiencing the reality of fractured friendships and past memories that fuel feelings of loneliness. The holiday season for this group can often serve as a reminder of brokenness and pain. In such a polarizing season it’s important to be intentional about guarding our hearts against cynicism, loneliness and even sadness. Here are 3 Practical ways to lift your spirits if you find yourself getting down during the holiday season. 1. Remember God’s past miracles and works in your life. Remembrance is one of the most powerful positions we can take when facing an emotionally challenging season. In the Old Testament the Israelites would set up stones of remembrance in the places where God did great miracles. Whenever they would travel past them they could look and remember the things that the Lord did in that place. Recount the seasons and situations in your life where the Lord came through and did the miracle. You could go a step further and write them on a piece of paper and hang it somewhere in your house. Psalm 103:2-5 says, Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits— who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s. Let me encourage you, if you are struggling to see a moment worthy of memorial in your life, remember that the greatest memorial you have is meeting Jesus, the one who died for your sins and through whom you can have access to and perfect relationship with God the Father. 2. Cultivate thankfulness in your heart no matter how you “feel.” Thankfulness is the fruit of humility and the offspring of gratitude towards God. Giving thanks shouldn’t just be relegated to one day a year, but rather it should be a lifestyle. After all, the power of thankfulness goes far beyond connecting us around a beautiful table. Thankfulness is the door to happiness and the gate to heaven (remember, we enter His gates with thanksgiving). It’s the cure for arrogance, the inoculation for depression and it’s a force against the spirit of entitlement. Thankfulness is the fruit of humility and the offspring of gratitude towards God. Thankfulness has saved many marriages, rescued children from the grips of bitterness, and delivered countless souls from the political spirit. Thankfulness is a field that must be cultivated, weeded and seeded. So what will you do to get the soil of your heart ready this season? I want to challenge you to express thankfulness for the things you see everyday. It could be the meal you had this morning, the ability to connect with your community, or even for the clothes on your back! Take it a step further and express your thanksgiving out loud, even if it's only for you to hear. 3. Fight Isolation and discipline yourself into community. A common pain point for many people during the Holidays is the feeling of loneliness. There’s something about knowing that people gather everywhere that can press the wound of someone that is struggling with loneliness. There is a very real temptation to isolate and wallow in misery. We all have a deep need to feel like we belong to a place or group. This need is healthy because we’re made to live in connection with others. The challenge is, there are countless devices at our fingertips that give us a false sense of community and connection; they are a temporary aid to the deep need for real deep connection . I want to challenge you to pick up your phone and call someone when the temptation to isolate comes up. Find someone to be with, even if it's for a quick coffee or lunch on the weekend. Galatians 6:2 calls us to, “Carry each other's Burdens…” Don’t deny someone the chance to love and care for you. Whether the holidays are your favorite time of year, or you want to fall asleep and wake up in March, I want to encourage you to lean into what God wants to do in your heart for this season. If the holidays are hard for you, let’s believe together that this could be the year of redemption!
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