The festive season in most cultures and countries is when families get together to spend time together before they usher in the new year. In my country, Kenya, during the festive period most people living in the city of Nairobi travel upcountry to be with their larger families. I’ve followed suit with this model. During one of these seasons, on New Year’s Eve, I had a conversation with one of my extended family members. He’d resolved not to spend the night in the village, because he believed the witches there would change his destiny. My jaw dropped. I mean, what?
He believed the witches there would change his destiny.
I thought to myself: how sad it was that this loved one believed someone had the same authority as God, to change their destiny. He believed it so sincerely that he’d changed his geographical environment, so that it couldn’t happen. Linked with this, he feared that being in the wrong place at the wrong time would result in the new year being other than what he envisioned and hoped for. This is to live with terrible uncertainty, crippling anxiety. Whether it’s because of exposure to witchcraft or evil powers, many Africans wrongly believe that others have the power to change their destiny. Below I’m going to examine this theory, which enslaves so many people.
This story may sound strange. For others, it will be a very familiar one. Furthermore, it’s not uncommon in parts of the African church, particularly the hyper-charismatic movement, which teaches that certain men of God are considered ‘destiny helpers.’ How should Christians think about such beliefs and teachings?
Only God Is Sovereign
You’ve very likely come across people who’re convinced that the reason their lives turned out in ways they never expected was because someone altered their destiny. Such people usually look for deliverance of some or other kind. In fact, many end up essentially worshipping some or other human they believe possesses the power that only God does. They do so because they’ve been promised a different destiny, a more successful course and better life.
Is anyone powerful enough to thwart what God has already set in place?
Now, if it’s true that someone can change your destiny then that person is sovereign over your life. But such a view falls horribly short of what God tells us about all human beings. Our lives are in his hands; nothing happens outside the scope of his control; and he knows the beginning from the end. As David sang, “My times are in your hand” (Psalm 31:15). Elsewhere he writes that every single direction of our lives are in God’s hands: “Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them” (Psalm 139:16).
This poses the question: is anyone powerful enough to thwart what God has already set in place?
No Man, Creature or Spirit Can Change Destiny
You could perhaps say that evil powers or the devil can change your destiny. After all, the devil is “the prince of the air” (Ephesians 2:2). He does have power, which we can’t ignore. However even his power is under the sovereign control of God. Even the devil has to bow down to the rule of God (Job 1:12; 2:6). God has authority and power over all things. Nothing is left to chance. R. C. Sproul would say, “If there is even one maverick molecule in the universe running loose outside the scope of God’s sovereign ordination, we cannot have the slightest confidence that any promise God has ever made about the future will come to pass.” Indeed, if God isn’t sovereign, then God isn’t God.
Even the devil has to bow down to the rule of God.
On the other hand, if God is God then he is sovereign. This means no person or power can change your destiny. For these can never overthrow God’s rule or cast off his sovereign hand. The Christian can have a firm and sure confidence: God is absolutely in control of all things. The Bible is replete with proof of this. Therefore, dear friend, you can rest with God-assured confidence that your life and destiny are in God’s hands. He will without a doubt fulfil his purpose in your life (Psalm 138:8).
Our Lord Jesus Christ gives us further assurance. Not only can no one change your destiny; no one can snatch you out of God’s hand (John 10:28). We possess eternal security in our salvation.
Entrust Your Life to God
My family member didn’t need to change his geographical location, out of fear. God is omnipresent. Location doesn’t limit him. My family member didn’t need to fear that his destiny would be changed, by some mere created being. He could have instead rested in the loving and merciful control of God. You can too. You should. Nothing and no one can thwart God’s purposes in your life. Rest in the sovereign hand of providence that calls the shots in your life. Cling onto that truth as you pilgrimage through the year ahead.
