“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

“He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of His own purpose and grace.”  2 Timothy 1:9

Pursuing Purpose

Many times I have asked myself, “What is my purpose?” Other times I thought I knew my purpose and then I was confused when my situation changed. One example is my nursing career. I became a nurse later in life. God was very clear in the direction I would take in the years after my Grandfather’s death. I had seen the power of a nurse in assisting our family through the dying process. As I attended nursing school I had a deep sense of peace and I knew that I was in the right place to make a difference in people’s lives when they were most vulnerable. I treated my job as a ministry.

After some years, God began to prompt me to take a more administrative role as a nurse and I found myself disconnected from patient care. I was confused and wondered how I could still be fulfilling what I thought was my purpose.

I understand now that there is a difference between a mission and a purpose. God had given me a mission to minister to patients for a season and now I had a new mission to fulfill. But my overarching purpose remained the same: to bring glory to God by fully expressing the highest version of myself moment to moment. This is accomplished by expressing the gifts and talents He has given me in every aspect of my life.

“Heavenly Father, help me to recognize the gifts You have given me and to use them to bring glory to Your name. Help me to honor You by not wasting the talents You have given me and to use them in accomplishing Your purpose.”