South aerial view of Bell Rock, Q3inq8

“But I have raised you up for this very purpose, that I might show you my power and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.” – Exodus 9:16

This is the Bell Rock Lighthouse. Built between 1807 – 1811 it stands 115 feet and sits on the Bell Rock reef 11 miles off the Northern Coast of Scotland. It is the oldest offshore light still operating in the world. Never before had a lighthouse been built on a reef that was submerged under water most of the time (12+ hours a day). The tower is made of Aberdeen granite, sandstone, and Roman cement. The meticulous layering of its foundation is nothing short of mind-boggling. Its construction is considered an engineering feat for its time and till this day many believe it is the finest lighthouse ever built. Besides a helicopter crash that damaged the tower’s anemometer in 1955, it has been operating for over 200 years without any alterations or repairs to its original structure.

The history of the Bell Rock Lighthouse is truly amazing. You can read more about it HERE. Before its construction, an average of six ships per winter season would fatally crash against the reef that extends over 1400 ft under the surface of the water. As early as the 14th century the reef was claiming the lives of hundreds of mariners. But it wasn’t until the early 18th century and after the loss of many more ships and lives, that permission and finances to build the beacon was finally approved. Due to its location and the limited means to transport equipment and supplies to and fro, not only was it a challenging task but an arduous one, to say the least. However, because of its purpose and the guaranteed income, of course, a group of 60 men was inspired and encouraged to sacrifice their family time and risk their own lives so that many others would be saved.

Everything is built with a purpose. Can you think of something that took time to be designed and created and which you believe had or has no significant purpose whatsoever? A quick internet search will return quite a few “useless” or “pointless” inventions. Nevertheless, everything ever created began with an idea to fulfill a specific need(s). Someone thought about it, someone designed it, and someone built it. It had an original purpose even if it turned out to be something that no one ever cared for.

Lighthouses were designed and built for the most important purpose of all; to save lives! Not one original lighthouse was ever built as a simple decorative monument. Granted, the advances in technology have rendered many of these “Saviors of the Sea” inoperable or obsolete, but many of them are still functional and provide guidance to mariners and pilots, especially when electronic navigation systems fail.

Not only were you Fearfully and Wonderfully Designed by God, but He also created you on purpose and with a purpose. First and foremost, you were created by God for His glory (Isaiah 43:7) and to fulfill His eternal plan. I could write pages and pages about this, but suffice it to say that God, in his infinite wisdom, chose to make you a part of a plan that includes: Loving Him and serving Him (Matthew 22:37), loving your neighbor as yourself (Matthew 22:39), doing good works (Ephesians 2:10), and pointing others to eternal life with Him—through his Son Jesus Christ, what is referred to as the “ministry of reconciliation” (2 Corinthians 5:18-19). You may have at times wondered why you were born or why are you living. In other words, you may not be sure of what is your true purpose in life. God has already declared in his word that He created you with a purpose. If you have any faith in God whatsoever, then you have a choice to make. Either you believe Him or you don’t. If you do then you must decide to seek that purpose and live it. Otherwise, you will, by default, believe the lies of the devil, the world, or your own reasoning and miss out on all that God has planned for you.

God was intentional when He created you. Live intentionally for God!

Did you know that God had a plan and a purpose for you even before you were born?! Isn’t that amazing? But do you know what is even more amazing than that? You have been part of His eternal plan before the creation of time. And now that you are here reading this devotion He is reminding you of that plan and purpose. He wants you to share His light with the rest of the world who is living in darkness and crashing into the reefs of hopelessness and despair.

Are you living out God’s plan? If you are, then continue to do so faithfully and passionately. You are not the only one who is benefiting from it. Those who are living aimlessly around you are benefiting as well. If you are not living out God’s plan, then what are you waiting for? Not only will your life take on a new meaning, but you will personally experience the joy of knowing that you are helping others find their purpose in God. Honor the Lord with your life, love Him and love others, demonstrate that love with actions, and tell others about Jesus. God was intentional when He created you. Live intentionally for God!

Prayer: Dear God, I know that you created me with a purpose. Your word tells me that you have a plan for my life and that it is a GOOD plan. Help me to live in obedience to that plan and purpose so that I may effectively shine your light in this dark world and help others find your purpose and plan for their lives. I pray this in the name of your Son Jesus, amen. 

“Bring all who claim me as their God, for I have made them for my glory. It was I who created them.”-Isaiah 43:7 (NLT)

“…love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.” -Matthew 22:37

“…love your neighbor as yourself.’e 40All the Law and the Prophets depend on these two commandments.” – Matthew 22:39

“For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance as our way of life.” – Ephesians 2:10

“All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation:that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation.” – 2 Corinthians 5:18-19

“The LORD will fulfill his purpose for me; your steadfast love, O LORD, endures forever. Do not forsake the work of your hands.” – Psalm 138:8 (ESV)

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” -Jeremiah 29:11

-ALL SCRIPTURE IS QUOTED FROM THE NIV EXCEPT WHERE SPECIFIED.