THERE IS A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN PURPOSE AND DESTINY

pur·pose   [/noun

1.the reason for which something exists or is done, made, used, etc.

2.an intended or desired result; end; aim; goal.

des·ti·ny  / Pronunciation Key–noun

1.something that is to happen or has happened to a particular person or thing; lot or fortune.

2.the predetermined, usually inevitable or irresistible, course of events.

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)

Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.

At different points in our lives, we all become curious about what our futures hold.  We wonder who we will be, where we will go, and what we will do in the future.  Will we make a difference to the world?  Will we be remembered?  Will we be missed once we’re gone?  But what we want to know most usually is related to our fate.  Is there something that we are meant to do?  If so, how can we know what it is?  And is that future a thing that is immutable and set in stone?  Or can we control it– or even change it – by our actions in the present?

PURPOSE VERSUS DESTINY

People often fail to recognize the difference between purpose and destiny.  They use the term “destiny” when they should be using “purpose”, or vice-versa.  Or they use the two terms interchangeably, as if they were identical or equivalent concepts.  But the two concepts are different, though they are related.

Let’s take a minute to examine some of the more important aspects of the relationship between these two concepts.

Destiny should drive purpose, while purpose drives action. 

Purpose provides short-term focus, while destiny provides long-term perspective and direction.

Purpose-Destiny mismatches are possible. 

WHAT DIES IT ALL MEAN (From A Personal Perspective)?

An action must have purpose.  A lack of purpose can result in our wasting time and energy doing things inefficiently, or incorrectly, or both.  There should be a reason (an intent) for every action that we take.  Every action should have an expected outcome—a desired end state that we are trying to achieve. 

A life must have purpose.  A life without purpose is a series of pointless, disconnected actions.  The person without purpose wanders aimlessly from one disappointment to another disappointment because he has no standards to guide him towards success. 

Human destiny comes in two “flavors”.  The first is what I will call “true destiny”, which is that destiny that a person is meant to achieve—what he is meant to do or be.  The second is what I call “consequential destiny”, which is the destiny that a person is relegated to, based on a lack of purpose, lack of action, or lack of vision.  Many refer to consequential destiny by using the term “fate”. 

True destiny doesn’t just happen, it must be sought.  Achieving one’s true destiny requires action.  Though destiny does not depend on what one thinks or does, achieving ones destiny is very much dependent on these things.  Achieving destiny must become the guiding purpose of all other purposes.  In this way, every individual success and achievement becomes a step on the journey towards destiny.

While it is possible to achieve purpose without achieving destiny, it is impossible to achieve destiny without purpose.  This means that it is possible to be working hard towards achieving personal goals and objectives that do not contribute to, and can even be in direct conflict with, your destiny.  As a result, you can go through life achieving things that provide some transitory level of satisfaction and in the end come to realize that nothing that you have achieved truly makes you happy or satisfied. 

When purpose and destiny are at odds with each other, it is destiny that should take precedence.  You should never ransom your tomorrows for today.  History usually remembers where we end up, not how we got there.  This does not mean that a good end justifies any means employed to achieve it, but it does mean that when there is more than one way to achieve a particular purpose, then you should choose the one that contributes most to achieving your destiny.  You may, at times, have to forego possible immediate gains or pleasure, but the future rewards of focusing on destiny more than outweigh any short term negative consequences.

 

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.(Romans 8:28 (KJV))