Sometimes it is difficult to distinguish between a goal and a purpose. Goals might be defined as what one wishes to accomplish. Purpose is what one hopes to accomplish through those goals. Take for example the goals and purpose of swimmer, Madeline DiRado.

At the age of 23, DiRado was something of a late bloomer when she qualified for the 2016 Olympics. She had just missed qualifying for the 2012 Olympics and everyone knew, including DiRado, that this would be her one and only chance to compete in the Olympic Games. She would be competing in the 400-meter medley, the 200-meter medley, and the 200-meter backstroke.

She credited her coach for pushing her to try for the Olympic team. While this was her goal, it was not her purpose. She told Yahoo! Sports, “I don’t think God really cares about my swimming very much. This is not my end purpose, to make the Olympic team.” When asked what she thinks God does care about as she prepares for Rio, DiRado replied, “I think God cares about my soul and whether I’m bringing his love and mercy into the world. Can I be a loving, supportive teammate, and can I bless others around me in the same way God has been so generous with me?”

And in case you are wondering about those goals; she medaled in all four events, taking home one bronze, one silver, and two gold medals.

Source:

Morgan Lee, “Meet the Rio Olympians Who Put God Before Gold” ChristianityToday.com (8-5-16); Pat Forde, “Meet Maya DiRado,” Yahoo!Sports.com (7-21-16)