Aim Quote by Os Guinness
“We are not wise enough, pure enough, or strong enough to aim and sustain such a single motive over a lifetime. That way lies fanaticism or failure. But if the single motive is the master motivation of God's calling, the answer is yes. In any and all situations, both today and tomorrow's tomorrow, God's call to us is the unchanging and ultimate whence, what, why, and whither of our lives. Calling is a 'yes' to God that carries a 'no' to the chaos of modern demands. Calling is the key to tracing the story line of our lives and unriddling the meaning of our existence in a chaotic world.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The Call: Finding and Fulfilling the Central Purpose of Your Life, Os Guinness, 2008
A true, divine purpose must be singular and enduring; otherwise it leads to extremism or collapse.
In simple terms: A single, lasting purpose keeps us grounded.
Key Takeaway
Seek a clear, God‑centered purpose.
Themes
purpose
faith
identity
commitment
Mood
reflective
hopeful
Type
inspirational
philosophical
When to use this quote
- career decisions
- life planning
- spiritual discernment
- overcoming distraction
Key Concepts
theology
existential meaning
spiritual calling
Questions to Reflect On
- What core purpose guides your daily choices?
- How do you distinguish divine calling from personal ambition?
A Different Perspective
It may be hard to discern the one true motive amid many pressures.
![“The times are chaotic. For me, I would hope that people look at [Angel] and gain strength by it. With everything that I do, I hope that they see people struggling to live decent, moral lives in a completely chaotic world. They see how hard it is, how often they fail, and how they get up and keep…” quote by Joss Whedon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/098/joss-whedon-480_angel_the-times-are-chaotic-for-me-i-would-hop_1119367.jpg)
![“He [an earnest young reporter] seemed to share the view of many intelligent, well-educated, well-meaning people that, while adult literature may aim to be art, the object of children's books is to whip the little rascals into shape.” quote by Katherine Paterson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/2cf/katherine-paterson-2365_adults_he-an-earnest-young-reporter-seemed-to-s_6101.jpg)
![“I really enjoyed it - being involved in watching rushes and playback [in "The Invisible Woman"]. Ralph [Fiennes] was very open to my input, I think knowing that he couldn't always be there 100 percent, that he had dual aims with directing and acting.” quote by Felicity Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/56e/felicity-jones-2070_acting_i-really-enjoyed-it-being-involved-in-wa_11933.jpg)
