Jesus, Commander of Destinies

Jesus, Commander of Destinies

One of my favorite lines from the wonderful hymn “In Christ Alone” is:

Jesus commands my destiny.”

This bedrock of truth has been a comfort and encouragement as we have jumped aboard the train to Austin. My wife and I don’t have any longstanding history or major ties to Austin.  We didn’t grow up going there, and in the interest of full disclosure, we know more Aggies than Longhorns (not to say either is better!). Yet, we believe that God has called us to uproot from our home church, home town and hom-ies to be about his business in the Capital of the great Lone Star State.

He, as the supreme commander of our destinies, has called us to journey to the unknown to glorify His name and make Him known.  He is weaving together a beautiful tapestry of Grace in Austin, full of people from many different pasts and backgrounds and we are blessed to be a strand in this great fabric that can never be unraveled, ripped or trampled upon. We know that at the end of our days we will look back and see his complete faithfulness in calling us into different situations and circumstances.  And though there are times when following Christ feels more like walking in the dark, we know his grace is sufficient to strengthen us for the task at hand. So we are willing to go wherever he commands at the drop of a hat.

Some may read “Jesus COMMANDS my destiny” as negative or subversive in nature.  As if God, against our wills, is making us do something begrudgingly.  “He commands and I must obey, or else.” In fact, we know many people who believe that God does this all the time, and that his followers are joyless rule-followers that don’t enjoy life because they’re too busy judging other people or keeping people out of their club. We understand why.  A lot of our history has earned that perspective from those who don’t know Him.  Somewhere in Christian history we made joyful, abundant life through faith in Christ more about dogmatic, labor-intensive, separation from culture.  What a terrible trade!

We believe that God in his infinite wisdom and complete sovereignty commands our destiny that we might experience the MOST joyful and exciting time of our lives carrying out his will!  No, it will not be without difficulty or fear.  But it will certainly be with Him and by His grace.  And we believe life and joy reaches its ultimate fullness in Him. We can’t wait to meet all of our future friends and join hands to restore hearts back to God.

his marvelous works among all the peoples.”

Matt and Emily Gonzalez

“IN CHRIST ALONE” by Keith Getty & Stuart Townend

here in the love of Christ I stand

Here in the death of Christ I live.

Bought with the precious blood of Christ.