Finding Your Reason: Aligning the Lights

19th Century Evangelist, D.L. Moody, told of a ship making its way into Cleveland Harbor by night.  The harbor pilot was at the wheel as the captain looked on.  Looking toward the harbor, the captain saw the light of the harbor lighthouse, but he saw none of the shore lights that normally serve to guide the vessels safely into port.

The captain asked the pilot, "Are you sure this is Cleveland Harbor?"  The pilot assured him that it was.  The captain inquired:

"Where are the lower lights, then?"  To which the pilot replied, "Gone out, sir."

"Can you make the harbor, then?", asked the captain. 

The pilot's response was, "We must, or perish."

Perish, they did.  For that night, the pilot missed the channel of the harbor, struck the rocks along the mouth of the harbor entrance and the ship sank, losing a number of lives.

There is said to be a harbor in Italy which requires the navigation of a narrow and treacherous channel for ships to pass safely from the Mediterranean Sea into the harbor to dock.  At night, especially, these lights are used to help the pilot and/or captain find his way to safe port.  In this port, there are three lights that are said to need to be aligned, to appear as one, in order to assure the ship's helmsman that he is safely on the correct course to the intended destination.  There is a reason those lights are there...and that reason is a matter of life and death.

Photo by Tracy Olson from FreeImages

​It is a question every person asks at some point in life...at least everyone wonders about it, if only subconsciously.  This question is the subject of countless volumes.  It has led to spiritual quests that took searchers to the ends of the earth.  This question has been the topic of scientific theory, philosophical debate, and personal conquests.  That question is, "Why am I here?"
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Actually, asking this question is quite natural for the human being.  I believe we are designed with the need to know why we exist.  Whether you believe in God and intelligent design, or not, we have to admit that most of us do want to know why we exist and how we can fulfill our greatest potential.  We usually want to be successful in our career, fulfilled in our relationships, or to make a difference in the world.  Therefore, understanding how we fit in the bigger scheme of things in our world gives us direction and informs all of our decisions in life.  Is that an advantage you wish you had?  You can have it.  And, like the three lights that must align in that Italian harbor to reach the destination, there are three things that can align in your life to arrive at a conclusion about the reason of your journey and existence here on earth.

Consider Your Talents and Gifts

Certainly, the skills we possess have a lot to do with determining what we do with our lives. Talent and gifting influence our lives in regard to career.  But, they are much more pervasive in their impact than just our careers.  Being aware of your talents and gifting can give you a big clue as to the purpose your life has here in this big world.  After all, much of our purpose comes out of the person we are and the skills that we have.  The God who formed us and who is equipping us, has a plan for us.

For example, a person with a bent for science and math may find a career in medicine to be the right path for their work life.  These skills equip the individual to excel in the field of medicine...having a strong foundation for learning the unique information, techniques and concepts necessary to gain a medical degree and succeed as a doctor, nurse or technician.

However, being good in science and math also reveals some unique things about the usefulness and purpose that person has in society in general.  It may mean that this person can see things objectively and analytically.  There may be an innate desire to help others, as well as the ability to exert leadership with strong decision-making skills.  When one begins to look at the "bigger picture" regarding his/her talents and gifts, a larger purpose may begin to become clear.  This is a good place to begin to determine where you fit into the puzzle of our world.

For those who follow Christ, we understand that in addition to the natural talents we have, or have developed, we have spiritual gifting.  Spiritual gifting is provided to us through the work of the Holy Spirit and enables us to engage in the purposeful things we do with supernatural strength and insight.  It reminds us that our ultimate productivity and achievement comes because of God's power at work in and through us.

But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us.
2 Corinthians 4:7

Experience is a Good Teacher

Every person has a story...a journey that is unique to them. Your story is valuable to you in understanding where you have been, what you have overcome or experienced, and where it can take you. Chances are, your experience, and the things with which you have had to wrestle over the years, gives you a frame of reference and a resource with which you can make a difference in the world around you.

Take, for example, the person who's parents suffered a horrific divorce when she was young.  The pain, turmoil and healing that was a part of that journey may open the door for her to reach out to children who are going through the same thing. Having a first-hand understanding of what a child is going through when his parents divorce can make her sensitive to the needs of that child, able to share wise words of encouragement and the ability to express empathy in a manner no one else could. You can imagine how powerful that would be for a child in that circumstance.

We cannot underestimate the power of our story. It enables us to have insight and empathy for people who are hurting or challenged by their circumstances. It also gives us a mechanism through which we can give one of the most powerful gifts possible to another human being...the gift of "me too."  When you can share your story and help that person know they aren't the only one to have struggled in the way they do, you help them to now three things:

1. They are not alone in their situation.
2. Someone else understands their pain.
3. They can get through it.

There is power in your story...experience is a good teacher for you, and for others whom you may influence. As a follower of Christ, we know that the grace and comfort we receive from our heavenly Father is the same gift we can share with others to whom we give of ourselves.

He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us. 
2 Corinthians 1:4

What is Your Passion?

This is the third harbor light. Your skills and your experiences, combined with your passion, create a good picture of where you fit into the puzzle of life. So, the question is, what are you passionate about?

I know, perhaps you are thinking, "I'm not really passionate about anything." Maybe passion is a strong word for you to consider. For some, this is easy...they know what gets them going. They are excited about a particular issue or activity. It is what gets them up in the morning. It is what drives them to plan, volunteer or give. If you're one of those people, you can easily identify your passion. However, if you are not driven by such a motivator, maybe you can think of it in another way.

Ask yourself, "What do I enjoy doing?" Think about the activities in your life that make you happy. What is it that you are most comfortable doing? What gives you satisfaction? When is it you feel most accomplished, most alive? Think of a time you felt the most energized in your life...whatever you were doing at that time is probably a pretty good clue to where your passion lies.  By answering these questions, you can determine what makes you tic. You can identify your passion. Chances are, this is related to your life purpose.

No one else can tell you what your purpose is. That is something you have to determine for yourself. That is an answer God wants to help you discover.  However, you may get some helpful insight from those who know you best. Try asking them a few questions that may help you explore your interests a little more. Ask what they see as your strengths or what they think are the things most important to you in life. Compare their answers with your own insights.

The Ultimate Purpose

These three "harbor lights," when considered together, will help you to discover your purpose in this world. When we know our purpose...the why of our existence...then the what of our day to day becomes more clear. How we make decisions, how we spend our resources, what we value...all come out of that purpose. In the shadow of a purpose, life becomes meaningful and we begin to see that it is important for us to make a difference in the world...in the lives of others. We no longer just care about making a living, we start to make a life.

If discovering your purpose sounds empowering and freeing, that is because it is! As I said at the outset of this post, I believe we are designed by God with a need to know why we exist. The good news is that He has an answer to the question for each of us. If you follow Christ, whether your unique purpose involves education, helping the poor or healing the sick, your purpose is a part of the mission of sharing the love of Christ with the world around you. When we fulfill our unique purpose with the goal of sharing the unconditional love that God has given to us, we find the ultimate fulfillment and joy. We make a difference, not just in this world, but in the eternal welfare of those whom we touch. That is the ultimate purpose.  That is a way to safeguard lives from "shipwreck."​

How have you seen your experiences provide a platform or unique perspective that has led you to fulfill your purpose?  What are you passionate about?  Was there a person who gave you some insights into understanding your unique gifting?  We would love for your to share these thoughts in the comments.  If you have received value from our podcast or blog, please consider liking our page and sharing on social media!  We love that you are here!