Our Purpose
9/9/2025 (Rick):
Walking through the gates of Donovan State Prison after nearly two months away, I felt both the weight of the place and the anticipation of returning. Donovan, part of the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation here in San Diego, houses around 2,500–3,000 inmates across five separate yards. As a “Brown Card” holder, I’m able to enter without an escort and conduct scheduled services. Still, every time I check-in through security, sign in, and pick up the keys and alarm, I’m reminded of the unique privilege it is to be allowed inside.
That morning, as I approached the chapel, I saw a familiar face. One of the men who regularly attends our Bible study caught sight of me and waved with excitement. It had been weeks since anyone had been able to meet with them, and you could hear the excitement in his voice. By the time I entered the chapel, he was already setting up chairs, ready for fellowship.
What touched me most that day was a conversation with another incarcerated person (IP). As he walked in, I noticed he had lost a significant amount of weight. When I congratulated him, he explained that he had been running more often, preparing for his upcoming parole hearing. He already had a job lined up for when he’s released.
But this was no ordinary job. He hopes to serve as a hotshot, one of the elite firefighters who take on massive, high-priority wildfires, often in the most dangerous conditions. It’s physically and mentally demanding work. Years ago, while incarcerated, he had trained in a firefighting program, and now he’s eager to return to that calling. As he spoke, his excitement was contagious. You could see in his eyes that he was ready to serve in a way most people could never imagine.
Listening to him reminded me of a short message I once heard from a pastor on how to know if we are fulfilling our calling, or our purpose. I shared with the men that morning three key conditions:
1. Ability – Do we have what it takes to perform the calling? Not just physically, but mentally, emotionally, and in character. Do we have the discipline and skills to do the job well?
2. Affinity – Does the calling draw us in day after day? It shouldn’t be something we dread, but something that compels us to give our best to something greater than ourselves.
3. Affirmation – Do others confirm what we sense within? This might come through encouragement, recognition, or opportunities that show others see our gifts too.
When ability, affinity, and affirmation come together, we can step into our purpose with confidence. For my friend at Donovan, that purpose looks like battling wildfires. For others, it may look very different. But the principle is the same: when all three align, we don’t just work a job, we live out a calling.
