How To Distinguish Your Purpose From Your Assignment
What is purpose? When I say that I want to discover the purpose
of my life or the meaning of my life, what exactly does that
imply? Is my purpose the same thing as my assignment? How can
I distinguish between the two?
According to Merriam-Webster online dictionary, purpose has
two meanings:
1 something that one hopes or intends to accomplish
2 the action for which a person or thing is specially fitted
or used or for which a thing exists
So, from the dictionary meaning, it is clear that when the
word ‘purpose’ is used, what readily comes to mind
is ‘goal’, ‘role’, ‘mission’,
‘career’. These all describe one aspect of purpose
or the other. However, these descriptive words involve something
we want to accomplish or an activity for which we are best fitted.
In short, these could best be described by the word, ‘assignment’.
The search for meaning is something much deeper than a goal,
a mission or a career. It involves all those, and more.
You and I know a lot of people who are engaged in jobs or careers
that they love and are best fitted for; but they are in search
of something more, a meaning or purpose to their lives. So,
then, there is a sense in which we use ‘purpose’
to refer to that original intent of God for human life. Who
am I, really? What am I here for? Where did I come from, and
at the end of this life, where am I going? In this, we see a
yearning to understand the primary meaning of life, of individual
existence. Purpose is about understanding the essence of life.
In other words, purpose describes our collective search for
meaning.
It is clear, then, that there is a difference between my life
assignment and my life purpose. Both are related in many ways,
but not exactly the same. Whereas Purpose deals with such fundamental
questions as who am I and what am I here on earth for, Assignment
deals with such question as what can I do to express or live
out the very reason for which I am here?
Here are some tips to help you distinguish between purpose
and assignment:
Purpose deals mainly with being, while assignment deals with
doing. Both are important and necessary in the grand scheme
of life, but until our focus changes from doing to being, we
may never grasp the essence or meaning of life.
Purpose affects the very core of my person, while assignment
is concerned with service to others. The discovery of purpose
is transcendent, transforming and tranquil in its effect on
my life as a person. On the other hand, discovery and pursuit
of my assignment can certainly have an invigorating effect on
me, but it has more impact on the lives of others. Purpose changes
the individual who is called to change the world through his
assignment.
Purpose asks, ‘Who are you relating to?’ Assignment
asks, ‘what are you relating to?’ Discovery of purpose
settles the issue of identity. The one who has found purpose
knows he or she is related directly to God and to His people.
So, his life is about cultivating a relationship with the One
who is his Source and Sustainer, and also with the other members
of the ‘family’. Discovery of assignment, especially
for the one who has first found purpose, is about relating very
well to the thing ( job, calling, career, gifting etc) that
helps him the most to serve God and others.
Purpose is about living for Someone who is infinitely greater
than we are, while Assignment is living for Something much bigger
than we are. We find our purpose when we discover (or rather
are found by) the One who loves us so much He gave himself for
us. Meaning is tied to a loving relationship, especially, with
the One who made us. Assignment is a sum total of the opportunities
given to us to express our love and appreciation for God and
the people He graciously put in our lives.
Someone can have an assignment without discovering the Divine
purpose for the assignment, but it is difficult for one to discover
his purpose without having an assignment that helps him express
that purpose. So, assignment can exist without discovering purpose,
but purpose can not truly exist without an assignment. Doesn’t
the bible clearly teach that, on the Last Day, some people may
have their works ( assignments, giftings, callings, philanthropy
etc) burnt or destroyed because they did not carry them out
with the right motive( purpose)? ‘If any man builds on
this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay
or straw, his work will be shown for what it is, because the
Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and
the fire will test the quality of each man's work. If what he
has built survives, he will receive his reward. If it is burned
up, he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, but only
as one escaping through the flames.’( I Corinthians 3:
12-15)
In conclusion, our meaning comes from discovering and living
our purpose, not from our assignments. In the sections that
follow, we shall examine purpose and assignments in detail.
If any of these writings bless you, feel free to post
a comment or share a testimony with us. Others may be blessed
by your testimony or comment. And feel free to contact us anytime.
My genuine desire is to assist you in your search for meaning
and joy.
Visit DiscoverPurpose
blog for more.
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