Destined for Greatness
It’s as Easy as Getting Back on the Bus
by
Book Cover & Preview Text
Chapter 5
You are what God says you are!
Young people, whether it looks like it or not, you are fearfully and wonderfully made! You are the Apple of God’s eye!
As an Ambassador of the Good News, I am here to tell anyone reading this book, young or old, that you matter. You matter to me, and more importantly, you matter to God. The Good News is—God loves you so very much! I am here to tell each and every one of you that He has purpose and destiny for your life. In fact, from the time you were in your mother’s womb, He created you with a purpose in mind (Psalm 139:13—16). I dare say that you too are destined for greatness! Oh sure, you may not feel like it right now with all that is going on around you, but I want to tell you that like those young people sauntering through the courthouse hallways, or my son who had pretty much spiral down to the bottom of the academic barrel, your circumstances do not define who you are, neither do they dictate your future. No matter how old you are, no matter where you are—be it home, on the streets, or somewhere in an institution, God still has a perfect plan for your life.
Jeremiah 29:11 states: “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not evil, to give you a future and a hope.”
The Message bible breaks it down like this: “I know what I’m doing. I have it all planned out—plans to take care of you, not to abandon you. Plans to give you the future you hope for” (The Message).
Young people, God’s words have not changed! The only thing that has changed is you. If you have deviated from the path that He has chosen for you, be it failing to study, missing school continuously, dropping out of school, getting into trouble with the law, failing to obey your parents, or any other bad choice, you may very well be reaping the consequences of bad decisions. For every action, there is a consequence, but you can learn your individual lesson and move on. The quicker you pass the test, the quicker you can get to the next grade. It’s like school. You have to pass the test in order to be promoted.
As you read this book, I am telling you that today you have a choice! A choice to start all over; to do things right this time around. Life is about choices. The good news is—all it takes is turning around and going in a different direction. Getting back on that bus to Greatness! Psychologists sometimes take their clients back in the past by a process called hypnosis. I am no psychologist, and I am totally against hypnosis or any process (or drug) that allows anyone other than the Holy Spirit to have control over ones mind. But, I will take you back in the past as well. I want to take you back to every negative word that was ever spoken over your life by people in authority: teachers, police officers, judges, probation officers, your parents, even yourself! You see, words are very powerful, especially words spoken by people who you look to for guidance and direction—authority figures.
The Bible states in Proverbs 18:21: “Death and life are in the power of the tongue.”
Whether you know it or not, there is a Spirit realm that you cannot see, but very much exists. There is also an Earth realm that you live in, and can see. In the Spirit realm, both the angels and the demons are on assignment like mail carriers. Your words will determine what mail gets delivered and activated in any given day—negative mail, or good mail. In other words, negative words, or positive words. Negative words can be very harmful especially if you believe and accept what you are being told. They then become word curses. You know the ones I mean:
- You are not going to amount to anything!
- You are the least likely to succeed!
- You are not college material!
- You are going to end up in jail, just like your dad, and his dad before him!
- You are nothing but a low-life criminal!
- You are Hopeless!
Sounds familiar?
Anybody knows what I’m talking about?
From this day forth, I want you to forget every one of those words. In fact, I want you to do this. Put a finger on your right temple. We are going to pretend that this is the DELETE button. While pressing the delete button, I want you to recite after me:
In the name of Jesus, I come against every negative word that has been spoken against me. I send every negative word back to the pit of hell where it belongs! Amen!
I want you to take your hand off the delete button now. Place your finger on the other temple—the left temple. We will call this the RECORD button. You are now going to press the record button. Ready?
For those of you who went astray or are still astray, I don’t care what crime you have committed. This is what God says about you. Please say out loud. Personalize it! Put your name in front of each statement! Look at yourself in the mirror if you have to! Here we go:
- You are not what your charges say you are!
- You are not what the courts say you are!
- You are not what the police say you are!
- You are not what the probation officer says you are!
- You are not what the teacher says you are!
- You are not what your mama or your papa say you are!
- You are what God says you are—destined for greatness!
- You are precious in God’s sight!
- You are the head and not the tail!
- You are above only and not beneath!
- You are a leader and not a follower!
- You are a lender and not a borrower!
- You can do all things through Christ, who strengthens you (Philippians 4:13). Amen!
Never mind if your parents aren’t telling you these words. Never mind if your teachers aren’t telling you these words. Never mind if your Pastor isn’t telling you this. You have to tell yourself! When others think little of you, you have to speak over yourself until you get these words into your heart and into your spirit. Remember, as a man thinks in his heart, so is he (Proverbs 23:7). In other words, positive thoughts produce positive actions. Once again, remember that as you declare those words, they will be established for you (Proverbs 22:28). In other words, they shall come to pass.
Formats
Book Details
About the Book
In Destined for Greatness, author Dale C. Broome draws from her criminal justice education and prior job experiences, her observations working in the court system, and her own struggles and shortcomings as a society-labeled “single parent” to minority teenage boys. She has whipped these ingredients together with Divine revelations and the God-given promises anchored in God’s Holy Word to offer some Godly tools in the form of hope and encouragement to those filled with hopelessness and despair—primarily the youth! As a voice for the voiceless, she warns parents, those in authority—including judges, and all those who come in contact with young people to start seeing these young people through the lenses of God, for often they are not as they appear! Stop tearing them down with venomous words; instead, use this energy to build them up. They have been made in God’s image; they are fearfully and wonderfully made. According to Philippians 4:13, they can do all things through Christ who strengthens them. There is, indeed, greatness within them!
About the Author
Dale Christine Broome is the founder of Destination Greatness, a Christ-anchored ministry of restoration and hope. Part of her mission is to steer young males from the tentacles of the criminal justice system, propelling them into their God-given Greatness.
She hails from the beautiful island of Barbados, and currently resides in Bear, Delaware. She holds a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and is currently pursuing a master’s degree in the administration of justice, with a concentration in leadership and administration. She is currently employed with the Delaware Judiciary, where she has worked for over nineteen years. She is active in causes that improve the lives of children in crisis, providing them with hope for a better life.