As I sat on the ledge of the 12th story window, I looked out and there before me were choices. All I had to do was reach out from my perch high above the street and grab one. I looked around. Not only was there no safety nets or cables, but the choices while floating in the air danced in the wind.

The choice was for more power, more reach. As I looked around the city street, I noticed that many were sitting in the windows, faced with the same challenge of thought. And even as I watched people reached out from their place of safety and grabbed. They grabbed on to the floating item held in the air before them. And immediately dropped to street, screaming all the way.

I shuddered. Was it worth it? The items floating before my face, were every person’s dream. But death? Destruction? How much was it worth it. Families and friends left behind. Shattered dreams and the reality of death.

That was my dream. It had much greater gorier detail. I leaned back in the window and fell to the floor. I could hear the screams and the crowd below.

The items floating in the air. They were tablets, like an iPad. The word on one. “DESTINY” The word on the other. “SUCCESS” Both are meaningful. Both have value. Both are important. BUT, and this is a big “but”… are they worth your demise? Your family? Your friends?

I agree. Your destiny is before you. I desire success over failure. But, I would not make the trade of my family, my future, my friends for my desires. I have done enough damage in 59 years by my choices. Now many of those were a while ago, but failures can have long term consequences. Choices. Did you know the word choice has humble beginnings in the Latin word for taste? (Funny, how scripture tells us to “taste and see that the Lord is good”…)

Choice is a good thing when it is predicated on values, but not such a good thing when it stirs the senses into making choices that affect others wrongfully. (I am “okay” with your choice to drink yourself into oblivion. Not okay with you expecting me to pick up the pieces.)

Many who read this are thinking, is destiny a bad thing? Success?

Success will never be a bad thing until you pursue it. Too many leave behind the value systems of their life, to pursue success. I am not going to make a definition of success here because it is subjective. I CAN tell you if success does not include family and friends and Godly values, you may be on the pathway of destruction. When I was young I thought money was a sign of success. Each night I carried home the bags of cash and credit car receipts. I would sit on my living room floor and sort it. Meanwhile my wife and children just wanted to be “with” me. I have had all the toys.

Unfortunately, without a solid foundation, you may not be able to honor the obligations of family and friends. You may not be able to handle the weight of success.

“What about my destiny, Lee?” Okay, what about it? What does that mean? “My destiny”. Columbus had a destination in mind but destiny is a little different. Destiny is the “events” that happen. Columbus being blown off course was a “destiny” situation. Some destiny may occur at the hands of man, God or the devil. A rescue of a child in a burning fire by an individual can change that person’s destination by that event of destiny. Destiny is more of a “hidden power” thing. Not a place. And here is a bigger thought. What is today, may be part of your destiny and can CHANGE your destination! I can tell you all about favor, blessing and more, but you still have to make some decisions in your life. At some point you realize it is more about putting one foot in front of another than it is about “planning”. Destiny can take you to a destination.

I think we have put horse before the cart. We talk about “dressing for success” but you can be dressed to the nines, have lousy character and lose that job in moments. You can be living in squalor and be plucked out of it by an incident. Planning for success? I think that means all your ducks in a row for the weightiness that comes with success. Too many are brought to the forefront in sports and business and even in the church and their character fails because they did not see the value of foundational skills in their life.

One more word. Serendipity. I think that has been the word of the week for me. A fortunate incident or surprise. I like serendipity.

In my dream I did not die. I did not chase success. As I left the building I met others who were leaving the building, as the crowds, the ambulances and the coroners huddled around the fallen bodies. We looked at each other with the knowledge that our destiny was at hand.

Psalm 84:9-11 Behold our shield, O God, And look upon the face of Your anointed. For a day in Your courts is better than a thousand outside. I would rather stand at the threshold of the house of my God Than dwell in the tents of wickedness. For the LORD God is a sun and shield; The LORD gives grace and glory; No good thing does He withhold from those who walk uprightly.…

Stop chasing “destiny” and start “chasing” Him. Pursue God. That does not mean “run after Him” though you can. It does mean follow His leading. Go where He goes. (I know He is always with us! This about the leading of the Spirit of God!)Watch what He does. And success will come. Destiny will happen. Stop chasing success and be successful