I remember when I was around 10 years old and living in Jamaica (the land of my birth). I used to watch a television show called Profile. The show’s host interviewed individuals of local and international influence who overcame when the odds were against them and emerged to make an impact in their respective domains.

One episode featured Dr. Ben Carson, the world-renowned Neurosurgeon. Dr. Carson was describing the surgery he did in separating twins. It was monumental. As Dr. Carson was recounting his experience, my mom suggested that I could also become a neurosurgeon. This idea became a key driver of the courses I would do in high school in Jamaica.

Long story short, I did not become a neurosurgeon. I failed all the science courses. I had no passion to be a neurosurgeon. I frankly had no interest in science and medicine. But saying that I wanted to be a neurosurgeon sounded prestigious and made me sound like I had that kind of desire.

I discovered that being a neurosurgeon was not my life calling and purpose. I never had the passion. I also never had the abilities and gifts related to being a neurosurgeon – at least they did not appear to be emergent at the time. I also never desired to be in a context where I could even become curious and learn more beyond my immediate educational setting. This is what I call the “purpose trifecta” gone wrong!

What is the Purpose Trifecta? 

The purpose trifecta is the intersection of your passions, skills/abilities, and context that creates opportunities for impact. The word “trifecta” is borrowed from horse race betting where someone bets and wins the first three finishers of a race in the correct order. [1]

Below are examples in scripture where this trifecta is expressed in the life and ministry of Jesus:

• John 2:17: “His [Jesus] disciples remembered that it was written: “ZEAL FOR YOUR HOUSE WILL CONSUME ME.” (NASB). (Passion)

• Luke 7:22: “And He [Jesus] answered and said to them, ‘Go and report to John what you have seen and heard: people who were blind receive sight, people who limped walk, people with leprosy are cleansed and people who were deaf hear, dead people are raised up, and people who are poor have the gospel preached to them” (Skill/Ability)

• Matthew 15:24: But He [Jesus] answered and said, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” (Context)

I believe knowing what you are passionate about, what you are skilled at or graced to do, as well as the context in which you are serving matters in helping to know your purpose.

Some people have a passion to sing, write, teach, fix things, etc. but they are not gifted in these areas. I remember growing up in church and every year for our Youth Day, this individual would come on the stage to sing when the moderator would ask if there were representatives from any church that had a song selection that they would like to offer. This person could not hold a note, but she always volunteered year after year. It was evident that it was heartfelt. However, being passionate is not enough. You must have the proportionate skills and abilities to make an impact

Of course, the congregation clapped! But I am thinking that we contributed to her false sense of confidence in her thinking that she could sing! Sometimes the context in which we are exerting passion and poor gifting and abilities can unwittingly contribute to a false understanding of ourselves and our purpose. You need honest feedback in your context. You must intentionally ask if you are making a positive impact. You must also do an honest evaluation of your gifts and abilities.

So, how do you get into alignment with your passions, gifts/abilities, and context?

1. Identify what you are truly passionate about.
2. Assess your gifts and abilities to determine what they are, and how strong you are in expressing them.
3. Determine if you are in the right context, and if you are making impact.

After you have gathered information from the above steps, you need to honestly evaluate if you are in your purpose. You may be relieved if you discover if you are, or you may be disappointed if you find out that you are out of alignment. Know that God wants you to experience the truth. If there has been purpose misalignment, then knowing this will help you reset your trajectory and prepare you to get on the pathway to discovering your purpose and pursuing your great!

Want to learn more about the purpose trifecta and how to get into alignment? Register for our course Uncluttered: How to Discover Your Purpose through Your Life Story

[1] trifecta. (n.d.). The Merriam-Webster.Com Dictionary. Retrieved January 9, 2022, from https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/trifecta