What is your purpose? Do you have more than a purpose? Some of us might ask this question differently. What is your Calling? However, I think there is a difference between Purpose and Calling. Let me explain.

Purpose is Foundational

Purpose tends to stay consistent. Let’s look at the Story of Samson. I haven’t had a story submission here at Give Your Story in a long while. Therefore, I will tell you a story instead!

Samson was born to a barren and childless woman. An angel appeared to her and told her she would give birth to a son. The angel told the woman of her son’s purpose. His purpose would be to take the lead in delivering the Israelites from the Philistines. He performed incredible tasks such as killing a lion alone with his own bare hands and killing 1000 Philistines with the jaw bone of a donkey. 

Samson was a chaotic and flawed Judge. He was alone actor. He had tremendous physical strength but lacked morals marked by broken vows, rage and weakness for Philistine women.  

Samson is a “Flawed Hero” – often considered a hero of Faith despite his failures – His purpose was to take the lead in the defeat of the Philistines. His gift was in his strength.   

Samson served a very clear purpose. God used Samson to defeat the Philistines. HOWEVER – Samson did not defeat the Philistines. He was only the 1st step in the story. The story of Samson and his Victory In Death was only THE TURNING POINT in the defeat of the Philistines. 

Here is the deal. Samson had no Calling. He only served a purpose. He was BLIND! God gave him strength and he did not use it for good but rather he abused it! God used Samson’s strength anyway! – The Way God intended – To once again, save His People. 

Purpose is what God intended you to become. On the flip side, Calling is what God asks you to carry for a Season. Purpose is intended to shape character. Calling is character displayed. Purpose keeps Calling grounded. 

God’s purpose for humanity is to Know Him, Reflect His Character, Love Others, and Participate as stewards in the restoration of His Kingdom. 

This is “the WHY” in why Samson only had purpose and no Calling. In his heart – Samson did not reflect God’s character, Samson did not love others, and Samson did not participate in the restoration of His Kingdom. 

Calling is Directional

Calling can change throughout your journey in life. Purpose remains stable, A Calling can vary in movement, development and seasons.

Here is a great example of Purpose to Calling in the Apostle Paul:

Pharisee
Pursecuter
Missionary
Teacher
Tentmaker
Church Planter
Prisoner
Letter Writer

God may give you many Callings throughout your life, but they all flow from one deeper purpose.

Some Callings are lifelong and other Callings are temporary assignments – Wisdom will help you discern the difference.

For me, my story begins with a journey in sex addiction recovery. Getting honest about myself and working on changing myself for the better of myself, my wife and family and God. Please note the order of which that is written. That is the actual order of how I started my recovery path. However, the real order was GOD, me, and my family. God told me it would be ok. God spoke to me and comforted me. Then I had to do the work. Twelve years of hard work brought me to THE TURNING POINT – A prayer to God asking Him to show me MORE. And He did! A journey that turned into re-identifying and accepting my bipolar diagnosis. More work on self. A journey that provided a path to finding Jesus. A journey with a friend who watered my garden, as I took Jesus in as my savior and friend. A journey to find my Calling which in part involves this website Giveyourstory.com 

Here at Giveyourstory.com I give you my story. I give you my heart. I give you my hope. In my Calling, I stand for WOMEN. I stand against misogynistic men and toxic teachings in the Church that harm us ALL. I stand for principles like accountability, equality, and truth. I stand for the health of marriage, family peace and love. I stand for the HOPE of JESUS. 

Purpose serves as a consistent foundation for character, while Calling represents the directional, season-specific assignments that flow from that purpose. Samson’s purpose driven strength and Paul’s character driven Calling demonstrates the example we are to follow. 

Do you see the difference between purpose and Calling?