A friend of mine from the mainland is convinced that he’s supposed to hold an event here on our island. As he described the sort of event that he was dreaming about, I raised a long list of issues and considerations that would need to be addressed if he was to be successful with this particular endeavor. The logistics involved with getting people to a bridgeless island are not the only challenge, as there are still issues with moving people, equipment, and supplies around once on Daufuskie, and there are limitations on the number and types of facilities as well.
Most people would hear the list of issues that would need to be resolved and take that as a sign that they weren’t meant to move forward with their event here on the island. They wouldn’t look at that list as challenges to be solved, but rather as barriers meant to discourage them from moving forward. However, because my friend truly believes that he is supposed to move forward with his dream, he acknowledges the list of challenges and is working to figure out how best to address them. He’s reaching out to different people with specific expertise as he looks for solutions. His own personal resolve is propelling him forward, even in the midst of difficulties.
When we truly believe that we are supposed to do something, we undertake that effort with a very different mindset than if we are unsure about our purpose. People tend to be like water, flowing along the path of least resistance, but if you’ve spent much time looking at the routes of rivers and streams, you’ll notice that sometimes the meandering path that is easiest requires travelling ten miles to cover a trip that is only one mile as the crow flies. A life spent without purpose meanders easily, but it may never get where it was supposed to go. On the other hand, a life with purpose can focus on the goal, address the challenges, endure the hardships, and accomplish what was intended.
The Apostle Paul is the greatest missionary that the world has ever known, but his was a life of great hardship. He knew that his purpose was to spread the Gospel throughout the world, and nothing was going to stop him. He endured shipwrecks, imprisonment, persecution, torture, starvation, and countless other hardships as he went from town to town and city to city, meeting people and proclaiming God’s word. Even when there were roadblocks thrown in his way, he kept moving forward, and if a mountain that was too high to scale was placed in his way, he simply went around it. Paul will forever be remembered because he allowed his purpose to drive him forward until the very end of his life.
Unfortunately, too many people lack a sense of purpose today and are therefore unwilling to endure hardship that could have led to great accomplishments. However, there is One who knows exactly what your purpose is, since He created you. If you find yourself wandering aimlessly along the path of least resistance, would you consider seeking God to find your true purpose? You may find hardships and barriers along the way, but it is a tremendous joy to overcome them and reach your objectives.
Peace and blessing – Pastor Aaron