Purpose, Passion, and Place

“Who am I? Why am I here?” – James Stockdale, b. 1923 – d. 2005

We ask ourselves that very same question at some point in our lives. James Stockdale (God rest his soul) just said it out loud in front of millions on national TV during a 1992 VP debate. While he was ridiculed mercilessly by late night talk show hosts, and pretty much everyone else, his unintentional honesty was actually a little refreshing. Glad he never became the VP though. I mean can you image if Ross Perot, a millionaire with no political experience whatsoever had become President? The very thought is ridiculous. Oh, wait…nevermind. That’s a whole other rant for another day.

Back to the subject at hand – purpose, passion, and place. Three simple words that can bring great happiness or great pain. If you believe that you are functioning in your purpose, living your passion, and have found your place in the world then CONGRATULATIONS! This may not be for you. But tuck it away for later. Trust me, you may need it. On the flip side, if you are experiencing that stage in your life where you have no idea what your purpose is, you’ve lost your passion, and feel out of place, this may be for you.

Our society has placed so much pressure on us to live on purpose, have a purpose driven life, and follow our passion. Where did all of that come from? Seriously. When did that become such a “thing”? Don’t get me wrong. I’m not saying that we shouldn’t be happy and have goals at the same time. But why put so much pressure on ourselves to fit the world’s mold of purpose, passion, and place? Who is to say what those three things truly mean? Let’s be real. There is the dictionary definition and there is the biblical view. In either case, it’s all about timing and perception. Take a look at Ecclesiastes 3. I’ll wait.

"1 To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven."

Well, that pretty much sums it up. But let’s go a little further.

"9 What profit has the worker from that in which he labors? 10 I have seen the God-given task with which the sons of men are to be occupied. 11 He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also, He has put eternity in their hearts, except that no one can find out the work that God does from beginning to end. 12 I know that nothing is better for them than to rejoice, and to do good in their lives, 13 and also that every man should eat and drink and enjoy the good of all his labor - it is the gift of God"

Whether you believe in God or not, your purpose on this earth is to DO GOOD. What is the “it” that plucks your spirit or gets to you when you see that something “needs to be done about it”? That’s your passion, your thing, your why.

When you are functioning in your PURPOSE (the what) and following your PASSION (the why), then you will find that you have arrived in your PLACE (the where}. It all can and will happen in God’s timing (the when). Just trade your will for His (the Who).

You can do this. Stop comparing your life and progress to someone else’s. You don’t know what they are called to do. They may even be out of place themselves and putting on a brave face. Their ministry and purpose are not your business. Be about your Father’s business.