You Were Born For a Purpose

Indeed, we all make many mistakes. For if we could control our tongues, we would be perfect and could also control ourselves in every other way.
 
We can make a large horse go wherever we want by means of a small bit in its mouth. And a small rudder makes a huge ship turn wherever the pilot chooses to go, even though the winds are strong. In the same way, the tongue is a small thing that makes grand speeches. But a tiny spark can set a great forest on fire. (James 3:2-5)
 
The above scriptures compare our lives to ships sailing on an ocean tossed by strong winds. James, the apostle, explains that we can direct our ship to its destination.
 
Apostle James mentions five things:

1. The ship – that is our lives
2. The pilot – That is our inner man
3. The strong winds – Those are the events and circumstances of life
4. The rudder – That is our tongue
5. The ocean – That is life itself

1.Three fundamental truths that can help us reach our destination are:

1. You and I are full of God-given potential
2. Strange forces may try to control and manipulate your life
3. You can steer your life in the right direction

1.You and I are full of God-given potential.
Lord Jesus paid the ultimate price and invested much in you. (Read Ephesians 4:8) You are unique and have gifts and talents on the inside of you. You are like a merchant ship loaded with good things on a mission. With the help of the Holy Spirit, you and I need to discover, refine, and use those giftings for the glory of God and for the benefit of those around us.
 
2.Strange forces may try to control and manipulate your life
Being a Christian does not mean we will not go through storms. Any teaching that tells you that if you believe in Jesus and walk with Him, it will be a bed of roses is a lie. Many times these forces that come against you may not have a natural or a rational explanation. This is the reason I call it strange forces.

One day the disciples were with Jesus in the boat and were overtaken suddenly by a storm that nearly seemed to drown them.
 
The interesting part is that this journey was undertaken at the command of the Lord Himself: “Let us cross over to the other side.” (Mark 4:35) The disciples had responded with total obedience. The disciples may have been wondering aloud, as most of us do, “if we have obeyed the Lord’s command, then why are we going through this severe storm?” Sometimes, the storms that we face walking in obedience are greater than normal storms.
 
The important thing is we must not give up in the storm. We must take hold of Jesus even more than we have done in the past. The interesting thing is that the noise of the storm did not wake Jesus up, but it was the cry of the disciples that woke Jesus up. Cry out to Him in prayer.

3.You can steer your life in the right direction
Your life is like a ship, and God has appointed you as its pilot. No ship just arrives at its destination. There is always a pilot who steers it there.
 
In the midst of strong and turbulent winds, the pilot ought to know where he is going and strive to get there.
 
Three things will help you steer your ship

1. Vision
2. Hope
3. Confession

I am a new creature in Christ: old things have passed away; behold, all things are new. I will fulfil my purpose in Christ. (2 Corinthians 5:17)