Finding Our Identities

​How does one live an abundant, joy-filled life?  Do we understand that each of us was created uniquely to impact the world around us?  Have we discovered what brings us satisfaction and freedom?  Life is a journey that is meant to help us discover the treasure God has placed within us to bring joy to our lives and the lives of others.  As I contemplated these questions I was reminded of a story or allegory written by Richard Bach called "Jonathan Livingston Seagull."  Jonathan, the gull, found himself caught in a dilemma.  His flock spent their days searching and fighting for food, a lifestyle he found completely unsatisfying.  However, he discovered, more than anything else, he loved to fly.  His passion for flying grew as he perfected his techniques and became an expert at it.  Jonathan was so thrilled with flying that he told his friends he discovered "there's a reason to life."  This alienated him from his friends, so they cast him out of the flock.
 
Since Jonathan could not continue in the meaningless gull lifestyle of conformity and limitations, he returned to his new-found love of flying, practicing until he reached the pinnacle of his abilities.  Just as he thought he could go no higher, he met two gulls who took him to a "higher plane of existence."  Here a society of gulls spent time perfecting their flying skills.  He was told, "You have the freedom to be yourself, your true self, here and now, and nothing can stand in your way."  Jonathan fine-tuned his own flight skills, learning much from his primary teacher.  As his expertise increased, so did his desire to return to earth and share what he had learned with other gulls.  His teacher explained that there is a key to success:  "Keep working on love."  Jonathan could not be free without the ability to forgive and shed any hurt feelings.  Before he could help others, he had to be released from the bondage of unforgiveness.  A new Jonathan Livingstone Seagull returned to earth and found other gulls who desired to know the freedom he was experiencing.  He became a coach and mentor as he taught the fine skills of flying and helped others have a sense of their own freedom.
 
How does this story speak to the family of faith in God?  Jonathan understood that there was something different inside of him that he needed to pursue.  It became his passion.  We too have unique qualities in our lives that are meant to help us live the abundant life, full of joy and freedom.  Jesus spoke to his followers about this lifestyle.  I have come to give you everything in abundance, more than you expect—life in its fullness until you overflow!" (John 10:10 -TPT) Only as we live out our purpose will we be able to soar.  "But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint." (Isaiah 40:31 - KJ)
 
As Jonathan lived the way he was intended to live, he punctured the ceiling that held him down and lived in a place with like-minded gulls.  The apostle Paul reminds us of our true home.  "So, you are not foreigners or guests, but rather you are children of the city of the holy ones, with all the rights as family members of the household of God." (Ephesians 2:19 - TPT) We live as aliens in this world; our home is in heaven.  It is up to us to live accordingly.
 
Joshua Silverberg, musician and producer, once said, "God has created us uniquely to touch His heart.
We have a unique worship to give Him."  I would like to suggest that one of the ways we touch Him is when we use what He has placed within us to help others grow in their freedom and identity.  This was the outcome of Jonathan's journey to live the way he was created to live, soaring in the heavenlies.  May I encourage you to ask yourself, "What makes my heart sing?"  In discovering this, you will find the pathway to follow that will bring you joy and freedom.