Discover Your Divine Purpose: Your Divine Pathway

By Margaret Mutandwa

A divine pathway recoups the neglected youths suffering from broken hearts, the victimized parents, and all those who are vulnerable to abuse despite their age. Ironically, without judging, everybody is biblically guiltless. Regrettably, conspiracy and disorderly pressure from community is tarnishing lives of the young generation. Some children are victims of decisions made by parents and it has affected their lives though with some it is by own choice and peer pressure from bully friends. The devil is also gravely flirting with teenagers corrupting their mindset through social media especially internet. Teenage pregnancy, drugs, magazines and bullying the innocent is the devils work because teenagers of today are the witnesses of coming of Christ. Knife and gun gangs are roaming the world streets at an unprecedented rate and fear of muggers is tormenting and crippling the society 24/7. Some single parents blame their status because of the behaviour of their children. Some couples are also failing to control their teenage children.
As a result, the Victorian times of high opinion of elders is now regarded as a thing of the ancient. Parents are neglecting their children because of parenting ineffectiveness and at times out of fear. Presumably, lacking of common ground with teenage children is a grey area impediment. As a parent, I urge all parents by the love of Christ to amalgamate and save the young generation from the spineless world for today is their tomorrow. Truthfully, only the incorruptible Spirit of God can regenerate the bruised inner being of the deprived teenagers that is if their passion is Christ-like. The same Spirit moulds parents to be real models to youths. Every day is a learning curve. No one is perfect and learning does not end. Parents should not blame themselves or the children for bad behaviour though there is always a cause. They should leave no stone unturned and find the root cause first.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse UK
• Release date: Sep 22, 2017
• ISBN: 9781546282730

Margaret Mutandwa

This is my second book, my first book is called my Spiritual journey. I am divorced and I am a single parent and grandparent. I have got a Certificate in Christian Counseling and a Degree in Christian studies.

Book preview

MY LIFE OVERVIEW

My Spiritual Journey is the title of my first book which was published in 2009. I am not a professional author but through the grace of God I now boldly say I am an author. God blessed me with words which I am today sharing with the world. My life journey was never that rosy because I did fall numerous times and rose up again. I never allowed myself to remain on the ground. Tenacious is my virtue because the Jesus Christ I worship conquered the grave even death could not hold him captive.

Writing this second book about parents and teenage children does not mean that I am a perfect mother no. It is because I have failed somewhere somehow along the process of my parenting and it is natural. No one is perfect and as parents, we are all faced with daily challenges. As a result, I would like to say, from my mistakes I have matured and it was a learning curve because of God’s intervention. I believe without God I would not be in this position sharing my experiences with other people. In retrospect, I reckon it is necessary to divulge my parenting success and failures first so that people understand where I am coming from and where I am going.

As a mother and a grandmother my life experience is one of the factors of this book. Also, experiences of those close to me helped me a great deal. I was once a married mother though now divorced and single. I am glad that God did not divorce me too. Instead, God chose me to be one of his ambassadors through writing. Despite having a degree in Bible Studies and Diploma in Christian Counselling, the Holy Spirit has been the initiator and the navigator of this book.

People always believe that single parenting is not easy. Yes, in a way I do agree to disagree with those who have negative thinking. At the same time I also agree to disagree with those who believe it’s easy. My point is I have been in both situations as a married parent and as a single parent. As I said before, I had to personally divulge both scenarios of my past and current life experiences first.

It is difficult if you are not a working mother and without external or family help. I am blessed because I was brought up in a house of marketers. My mum was a marketer and I got that from her. She used to work hard to make sure we didn’t lack anything. She has always been my inspiration. When I was married I got pregnant and went on maternity leave. During that time I decided to find other means of bringing cash into the house. I started going to the farms on weekends to buy vegetables to sell at my house gate and week days I would buy clothes to sell as well. People would come to buy vegetables and clothes and some would give me orders for things they wanted me to get for them. Because of that hard work I managed to save some money not knowing that one day I would be a single mum and in need of money.

Having said this, when I became single luckily I was working and I had to trade part time in order to adequately provide for my children. I never wanted my children to lack or feel any difference between living with their father and being with me as a single parent. God gave me the wisdom and I used it wisely. Through God’s grace I managed to give my children descent education and stable lifestyle. With God’s intervention my children embraced the situation positively. I never talked to them like kids. I would talk to them like adults so that they understood me better.

I never said bad things about their father and never stopped them from visiting him or their grandparents. I would choose my words carefully when talking to them. I believed that our misunderstandings had nothing to do with my innocent children actually it was absolutely our prerogative as parents. To be honest there are things we can change in children but we cannot change who they are. And I am glad they are still close to their relations and that is what I ever wanted. It is true blood is thicker than water. Jesus Christ died for us because we were joint heirs with him. What I am saying is, blood is thicker than water under any circumstances nothing can ever change that.

One fundamental thing I learnt as a single parent is to be slow to speak and quick to think when talking to children. I never spoke to them when angry. Instead, I would go out to see my friends or I would just get into my bedroom and keep myself busy, then talk to them the following day when am calm. What I was trying to avoid was saying words I would regret. Obviously, as children they were not always perfect and I used to be angry with them but never swore.

The best thing is I never raised my hand on them whatsoever. I believed in sitting down and talk on one to one bases than smacking and shouting. That was my way of handling children when angry so that I didn’t lose respect from them. Children are individuals and every parent deals with their children differently.

In my house I had 5 teenage boys with different personalities, but that never hindered my parenting skills. Everything was easy because they did get on quiet well. They were never angry with each other as far as I know and I would not say it was my doing, it was God’s divine intervention.

I used to work like a slave and it was by choice. In my house there was a wall hanging written, To live like a king you have to work like a slave, believe me it is true. I know there are some people who are always crying about their problems and my advice is nothing will ever come to you while sitting. You have to find a way of providing for yourself and your children. If God blessed you with hands and the brains use them wisely. God did not say I will give you all your provisions but it is written, I will give you wisdom.

Odd jobs are always good foundations to think of if you have no other means. Every little penny brings food on the table and a roof over your head. No job is too little and no job is embarrassing to do as long it addresses all your needs and wants and you should be proud of it. Don’t look at what your friends are doing think of what you can do first. Your capabilities are your strengths and keep that in mind.

Not every child who does not go to church is bad, no. Some children do not go to church and they are well behaved. Church moulds our children to be Christ-like. Our children’s fear of God helps to shape their future and makes it easy for parents to guide them. Remember children are individuals and parents should understand them in order to avoid conflicts. Along my parenting journey I have learnt that being a mother is not about what I gave up to have children but what I have gained to have them. My children have made me to be a person I am today who is patient, loving and not self centred but a new creation. As parents when children reach their teen age you have to step up your parenting skills otherwise you will be overwhelmed with challenges.

Make peace with your past so that it does not disturb your God given future. Do not compare your life to others because we all have unique blessings. Do not judge other people because you have no idea what their journey is all about. We are all on a journey but different destinations. Your journey defines your eternity.

PURPOSE FOR DIVINE PATHWAY

Divine pathway is not just for a certain group of people including those with behavioural problems. It is for everyone from teenage hood to parenthood, those who need help with life skills. I am not saying that their parenting skills are entirely inadequate, no. The world has changed and people have changed too. The world needs people who help to bring love and unity to odd families. Parents are rejecting their notorious children instead of helping them to be what they love through asking God to give them a mind-reconstruction. Yes some children are difficult to an extent of beating their poor caring parents. Youths are drifting from their parent’s house and strict rules to hostel freedom, where there are no parental boundaries. They are clueless on how important life skills are for their future. It is parent’s prerogative to teach their children through Jesus Christ. Jesus loves children and he moulds them if you usher them into his heavenly hands to take complete control.

God’s purpose is to do his will. Surprisingly, people spend their life-time chasing things of the world which are temporary, which do not give them true joy but pride. You strive to fulfil your earthly desires ignoring the fulfilment of God’s purpose. Your mind is filthy saturated by celebrity complex, and the wish to live a millionaire’s lifestyle. Do you know that you can be a divine celebrity and a divine billionaire if you invest in the things of God rather than investing in the things of the world? The Bible says, Do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Do not trust in your own reasoning to know your purpose of life. You should ask Jesus and he will lead you for he is the way, the truth, and the light of the world. He illuminates your way when you are stuck in the midst of darkness. God’s purpose is the pathway to eternity and your works are beckon to faith. God will not leave you in the wilderness, never.

Do not wait for God to tell you what to do because God is waiting for you to say what you want. Please, do not limit God’s power because you are not able to gratify the purpose of your actions. Your envious heart, if you are not careful, might lead to hate because you will be jealous of the things you do not have. You have not because you ask not. You are a step away from hate and your deliverance is at the feet of Jesus Christ. What you do comes from within and that is why Jesus said, What goes inside you is holy but what comes out of you is what is unholy.

Nobody will ever tell you that the pathway you are taking is not easy but Jesus does, He will show you the divine light. Actually, He will tell you to look up to the sky for a bright star that signals your guidance. As the star fades away slowly, before your eyes you shall see a very long road with your initials written on it. At the end, you will see a very long beautiful right hand stretching out to reach you. Follow it to see whose hand it is and as you walk toward it be expectant with firm faith, Remember, the pathway is very clear and extremely bright. As you go beyond the beam of the light, you will discover your narrow pathway to eternity and it is difficult to pass through. The Bible says, Enter the narrow gate that leads to eternal life and a few finds it, for the wide gate leads to hell and many enter through it. (Matthew 7:13-14)

PREFACE

PATHWAY TO SELF DISCOVERY

This guidebook is a benchmark for all parents and adolescents with or without a history of trouble. At the end of this book there are guiding daily prayers for we communicate with God through prayer and meditation. Despite God’s forgiveness, yokes are still weighty on your shoulders, asphyxiating your spirit by strangling you day and night. Your family’s lack of dialogue is wrecking oneness. Despite all, parents’ intercession brings insight and unleashes the spirit of their children stuck at the cross roads. Parents are possessors of the unique key to the flood gates of heaven ordained for their children. Jesus Christ is the channel that leads to the right pathway of spiritual life changing.

Those who can hear the voice of the Lord humbly follow his pathway and are governed by His Spirit and not the spirit of the society. Parents should seek divine wisdom from the counsellor Jesus Christ and not man. The parent’s spirit should supplicate to be in agreement with the Holy Spirit. Parents have been granted keys, authority and code to unlock the padlocked gate to the pathway which leads to the deliverance of their children’s sinking spirits. The youth’s eternal spirit should be ushered at the foot of the cross, where the grace of God and eternal suffering meet. Generational curses and principalities of darkness affect the lives of innocent children if kept hidden in their lives.

God knew you before he created you in your mother’s womb, and chastised you when you were in the wilderness. He found you when you were not looking for him. He forgave your past when you did not deserve it. Through his death, you are freed from captivity. He brought salvation into your life which was engulfed in darkness. Life which was trapped in a fish net because of inherited curse from your ancestor’s actions. They worshiped idols and kept the heirlooms in the house for the heir apparent. They believed worldly wealth is from idols not from God. But because through uncommon favour God marked you for his purpose, everything slipped away from your new life like ice melting on a hot plate stove.

You were surrounded by angels but because of spiritual blindness, you could not see them until after a new spirit was re-birthed inside you. You were then anointed with the powerful seed with the Word of God. Now you speak his divine Word and he gives you favour as he did to Moses. When you got born again God anointed your mouth.

INTRODUCTION

DISCOVER YOUR PATHWAY AND CROSS OVER

Because of Adam and Eves’ sin, a curse came to all mankind and every human born after that sin was born from a corrupted seed of Adam. Graciously, the blood of Christ rebuked the curse the moment he gave his life as a ransom to free our spirits. As a result, to regenerate your spirit from corruption, you have to be spiritually born again and be refilled with the incorruptible Spirit of God. Only those who are born again find a divine pathway after giving their life to God. Actually, modern parents and modern children need a new birth in their spirits with the seed of the Word of God.

Life can be very unfair, especially if you find yourself in an uncompromising spiritual lifestyle. Innocent teenagers are the most affected because they are deprived of making their own choices just because their parents believed they are not capable enough. Because of parental paranoia, some parents are often blamed or regarded as control freaks. Why this is so? It is because the parents confuse love and discipline, resulting in over protecting their children by forcing them to do as they say and as they do. In other words, parents take their children’s choices away unknowingly by delegating tasks and diminishing their children’s capabilities.

In most instances, parents are appreciated for the good hard work they do and, frankly, they are irreplaceable. Having said this, some parents deserve all the blame where their children’s failure is evident. They take children for granted by undermining the manipulation power of the devil over the young generation. It is the parent’s prerogative to protect the entire welfare of their children. Without doubt, eighty percent of parents miss the whole concept of love; they mistakenly spoil their children instead. God is the model father of all nations and he gave parents the authority to look after their blessings (children) that is their fruits of the womb. He did not give us the authority to tread on them and we are never to punish. Some parents think that good parenting is giving all the freedom, attention, and material fulfilment to their children’s demanding needs, which is absolutely wrong.

Some parents do completely over-look the general ethics of life to an extent by ignoring or not teaching their children the basics of genuine Christian life. Hence, they do not approve anybody to correct them or their children, no matter how off the beam they could be. Such parents do not welcome criticisms or rectification from anybody no matter how much you bring their actions to their attention. As a result, their children would never know what is right and what is wrong, because nobody bothers to be role model for them. That is one of the reasons why some children are difficult to control. They are mistakenly spoiled and led astray instead of genuinely loved. Because of their puzzlement, some children’s behaviour could be caused by their up-bringing. "If you get more stubborn every time you are corrected, one day you will be crushed and never recover". (Proverbs 29:1)- Leviticus (18:22-27 and 30)

CHAPTER 1

TEENAGER’S BEHAVIOUR

Life is not about living, eating and going to sleep; it is about discovering your divine purpose through Jesus Christ our saviour. Everyone has got a purpose on earth and only God knows why you are still living. Having a life is not your doing but God’s doing and it is a divine gift. Finding your purpose is not a mystery, it is what you are doing right now reading this book because you are chosen and highly favoured by God. God knew your divine purpose before he created you in your mother’s womb. Who you are and the way you are was planned and designed for a purpose.

John, the youth with the story referred to in this book, was naturally born from the corruptible seed of Adam the first man as was everybody else. Unfortunately, John lived with the dormant seed for a long time; his parents never ushered him to Christ for consecration. In other words, his life was not spiritually joined with Christ because of his parents’ wicked beliefs.

Fortunately, John was still young and it is never too late with God. God sows his divine seed in those he chooses. He internalizes the seed during the planning stage and cultivates it, provided it is not uprooted, falls on thorny ground or grow where weeds can overgrow the plant and destroy it.

The Bible says, Everything not planted by God shall be uprooted. Due to God’s mercies, John’s spirit was re-birthed with an incorruptible seed and his life was changed and turned one hundred and eighty degrees. This restoration was evident in John’s spirit through new life and works. If you can’t find your seed, ask God the light you did not switch on and then switch it on and do not keep walking in darkness. In the Bible Jesus said, I am the light of the world and whoever follows me will never walk in darkness (John 8:12). "He turns your darkness into light" (2 Samuel 22:29). "The light shines in darkness but the darkness has not understood it." (John 1:5).

Life is fair if you execute God’s will and accept the blessings he lays on the table for you, (though it can be different if you practice something outside of Christ). Life in the natural realm is deceitful; life in the spiritual realm is real. Life engulfed with world sin becomes sourer as you mature in it. Life within the big society of Christhood gets sweeter as you mature in it. Blessed are those who are ushered to Christ from birth, because they had an opportunity to live a consecrated life. The most biblically privileged are those who grew up in Christian schools where a scripture syllabus is compulsory to every child. In secular schools, religious studies are a thing of the past. In none religious schools, Christian studies are unavailable on the syllabus not even as an optional subject. In Africa, scripture studies are compulsory from pre-school until completion of junior school. In Muslim schools, it’s different they don’t teach Christianity but they teach their children cultural beliefs from a very tender age.

I would like to say that in this sceptical world, religious studies are available mostly for those brought up in Christian-oriented backgrounds. However, I am still stunned with the idea of leaving modern parents to raise their children the way they wish, not the way God wishes. Are parents of today keen to teach their children scripture at home, or have they also converted to scepticism? How can they teach their children Christianity when their own parents strongly ridicule Christian believers? How can they raise their little ones in Christ when themselves have never been in the presence of God not even have inkling on how to supplicate? The good thing is people can always change and follow Christ at any age despite their childhood deprivation.

Believe me, this is one of the factors affecting the new teenage generation to the extent of leading them to be paedophiles, murderers, or robbers at an early stage. Besides that, they have no idea what the word "respect" means. Why do children of today shout back at their parents to the extent of telling them that they hate them? Mind you, the word hate is very strong to use against parents (or anybody else). Our children are using it every day towards elders and parents who love them so dearly. It is because they feel too big for their shoes, and in their conscious minds, the vocabulary of respect is lacking.

Of course, some of the behaviours are from forced lifestyles, some are definitely out of individual choice. Due to peer pressure and bullying at school, some teenagers have converted to bullying. They are capable of doing whatever task is thrown to them by bullies even if they hate doing it. Negative attitudes always lead to catastrophe. Such behaviours start at home and then moves to school grounds, classrooms with teachers then graduate into the society. These bullies behave as if they own the city and I reckon they will be possessed with demons.

Some poor academic students in the first world sometimes besiege their teachers to the extent that they are left petrified to death. The students belittle them to nothing, no matter how much effort the teacher has put forth to better the student’s future. Some students have mugged and psychologically damaged their teachers. I would like to think that the legislation to backup teachers could be weak. Instead, the teachers are pushed into a corner where they become victims themselves. Sometimes the law takes the student’s word over the teachers. Some of the policies have given teenagers leeway against teachers. Just one cruel accusation is all it takes to ruin the teacher’s life and career forever and the students are aware of that. It is in some children’s DNA to be deceitful.

Because of lack of Christian discipline, the uncontrolled behaviour of some teenagers has escalated to the streets. Many lives are ruthlessly ruined, and this dynamic is passed endlessly from generation to generation. Who can set up examples in schools and in the community? It is never too late to bring change to society. In some cases, the government is very dismissive when teachers bring up complaints about some hooligan students who are hindering their work and the concentration of those who are interested in learning. Some students are difficult to teach they think it is funny to humiliate the teacher in front of other students.

Triggers of Bullying Behaviour

Some children are bullies because of past experiences at home or the society they grew up in. What parents forget is that, what they do or say to their children makes them to become monsters among other children. Children are very vulnerable as a result they should not be exposed to very rough environments. In other words parents should be very careful if they love their children. My point is you should always mind your words. What would you expect when you always show or tell your children stories about bullying? Believe me they will definitely venture on someone innocent if they have the nerve. In some instances children who are bullied end up affected for the rest of their lives.

Abused children end up losing self-esteem even at work places. It is difficult for them to regain confidence resulting in being easy targets of bullying and harassment. It takes a lot of personal faith to forgive and to have the ability to forget your bullies without God’s intervention. Some of those who live in denial of their horrific life experiences might end up being little devils. Some children don’t have the courage to open up to others about the excruciating problems they face behind closed doors. Instead they take it out upon the most vulnerable people like teachers, bright quiet students, or the unfortunate. This kind of behaviour is ruining the world. Children are crying out unnoticed. Please help them before it is too late.

Student death rates are escalating worldwide because they will be trying to run away from their day-to-day bullies. In other words they will be petrified to death. Tragically, many consider suicide as their last resort and their only escape from brutality. In some cases, bullying between children could be motivated by jealousy (though the connection is debatable). Teachers have little power; they have to have enough support before intervening just to ensure they are not later accused of wrong doing. In other words, they have to think before they act, in order to cover their backs if something goes wrong.

Some parents support their children’s violent behaviour by doing nothing to stop them. Life consists of what you ought to do, not what you like to do. The choice is always yours. But, parents have physical rights to their children. However, God has spiritual rights over the same children, provided they are ushered to him. Divine parents should be real Christian models, and not to conform to this world. Don’t forget: the Lord is the governor, the owner, and the planner of all lives. The Lord Almighty has sworn, Surely as I have planned, so it will be, and as I have purposed, so it will stand. (Isaiah 14:24) Certainly, he owns us by virtue of creation. Jesus declared, "I am the good shepherd, who is willing to die for his sheep." (John 10:11) And surely he is.

Jesus is the Shepherd

To fulfil and have his Word proved, Jesus died for us and he will forever have divine dignity compared to natural shepherds. In the natural, parents inevitably plan for their children but God directs their actions (Proverbs 16:9). And if you read further (19:21), People may plan all kinds of plans but the Lord’s will is going to be done. Jesus said, "My sheep hears my voice." Those who are marked by God hear his voice when he calls. His sheep are not marginalized; they know their shepherd’s voice.

Those who understand that their steps are ordered by God after they make plans in the natural world always end by saying If God permits, amen. That is why God’s Word says, People may be right in their own eyes but the Lord examines their heart. Do what is right and fair, that pleases the Lord more than bringing him sacrifices (Proverbs 21:2-3).

The Bible also said, "The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want" (Psalms 23:1), meaning he will be our companion for the rest of our lives. A good shepherd leads his sheep to green