While planning to leave Lagos for Akure that year, I got talking with a dear older minister. I could feel the “love” in his voice; “Demola, you don’t have to go to Akure, Lagos is where your kind of ministry is needed”. But towards the end of the conversation, he said something striking; “Even though I love you enough to let you go, deep down within me, I have a witness that you should go”. That settled it.

Friend, when it comes to matters of destiny, you must learn to decipher real love, as opposed to emotions (Philippians 1:9-12). Those who love you the most may be your greatest enemy in the journey of destiny. Don’t follow emotions, follow divine revelation. A lot of people have missed their destiny by following good-hearted people who are ruled by emotions instead of divine revelation (Matthew 16:21-23).

“Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from you, Lord: this shall not be unto you” (Matthew 16:22). Peter was talking out of his love for Jesus. He had a good heart, but this love was actually hatred as seen by the response of Jesus – get behind me, Satan (Matthew 16:23)! Whoever comes in the way of your obedience to God and progress in destiny is your enemy even if you or they don’t know.

Jonathan missed his destiny of greatness with David due to his emotional attachment to his father (2 Samuel 1:23). Saul genuinely wanted the best for Jonathan. As his son, he wanted him to succeed him (1 Samuel 20:31). But this was not God’s choice. Jonathan knew by revelation that he was supposed to be next to David but he allowed the emotions of his father to truncate his divine destiny (1 Samuel 23:17).

You cannot afford to let people who do not know you in destiny to whip up emotions that would truncate the same. Those closest to you and who love you genuinely; siblings, best friends, colleagues etc. can stop you from pressing into your destiny. Humbly and sincerely appreciate their love and concern but don’t let them stop you. What would have happened if Marry had stopped Jesus from dying on the cross (Luke 23:27-28)?

“He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all…” (Romans 8:32). If God did not spare Jesus, He would not spare you too. God loves you enough to leave you waste away in destiny. You also need to pray that those who are in close relationship with you would not spare you. Tell your pastor not to spare you (2 Timothy 2:3). Let your spouse release you. Let them allow you go through the training and demands that would produce your destiny.

© ‘Demola Awoyele
Lead Pastor,
Destiny Impact Church
Akure, Nigeria