QUESTION: Dear Ms. Encouragement, so many people around me seem to be talking about their purpose in life and what they believe they are called to do. What exactly do people mean by having a purpose or a calling? – Curious in Miami
ANSWER: Dear Curious in Miami, you bring up a very good question that others want to know as well. Often we use the words “purpose” and “calling” as synonyms when they do not have the same meaning. Purpose is what is described when we are looking to an object or end result to be attained. People usually use it to refer to an achieved meaning for their life. Purpose applies to anything and anyone and can be a life’s purpose or daily purpose. A person’s purpose (meaning) is lived out based on who they are. (i.e. Because I am an encourager, I gain purpose for my life by how, where, and when I encourage others through my life.)
Calling however is a strong impulse or sensing toward a particular course of action that is divinely influenced. A calling is a specific mission or duty for God’s purpose that is based on the story of our lives. (i.e. based on the struggles, themes, passions and burden throughout my story AND sensing through His voice and the word, my calling is to encourage others in their journey and help them to discover their purposes and calling in the midst of their pain and struggle.)
Purpose and calling both answer meaning and value for one’s life and are very important when trying to understand the direction for life.
Be encouraged, it’s a journey not a destination.
Charlotte
Copyright © 2018 by Charlotte D. Hunt All rights reserved. No part of this material may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, transmitted in any form or by any means – electronic, mechanical, photocopy, or otherwise without written permission from the author except for brief quotations in printed reviews.
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