Tri-fold Purpose

I heard another enneagram 5 describe how our brains work after being asked why 5s usually pause before answering anything. She said her brain was like a six-lane highway full of traffic and then when we try to communicate we have to get the right car off at the exit--takes a little time, planning, and maneuvering. The other lanes are full of thoughts, ideas, information, and more. Stuff that bounces around, resurfaces, and gets mulled over for long periods of time.

The paradigm below was one I scribbled some quick notes about from a podcast probably 8 months ago now and I don't even remember who said it (oops! bad librarian for not citing sources!) and have been thinking about it off and on for as while. Popping up on walks and in conversation. I've come to really appreciate how the guest speaker on the podcast defined purpose as containing 3 components.

The first component is identity, which as a Christian is unchanging and secure in Christ. Not having to figure out "who am I" repeatedly. The second is calling which remains stable throughout a person's life. The guest podcaster described it as where your passions and strengths intersect as God created us all uniquely to serve/work in particular ways. The last piece is assignment or the specific way you live out that calling in a certain season of life. This changes throughout life as the way your calling is applied in different contexts. The speaker explained that it is when assignments get confused for calling and identity that he often sees people struggling with a sense of purpose.

One of the examples given in the podcast was if a person's calling was educating the next generation. Over a lifetime, that person could live their calling by being a teacher in their 20s, raising children in their 30s, second career working in an after-school program, and volunteering as a Sunday school leader after they retire. The assignments changed over time, but the calling remained stable.

Naturally it got me thinking about how to articulate my own calling. I'm sure future hindsight will bring a clearer overarching theme, but for now I lean towards "providing organization and wisdom." From helping a nonprofit become sustainable during grad school, to expanding the digitization workflow at work, to now marrying into the farm business during a season of growth that requires more structuring. In little and big ways over my three decades, there's been the drive for knowledge and order along with a desire to share it with others. I look forward to seeing what assignments God has for me in the future!