What Is Truly Driving You: Meaning or Purpose?

You Construct Meaning & Unveil Purpose. -Luna

To make sense of life, we often seek both meaning and purpose. While these two concepts may appear interchangeable, they come from profoundly different places. Meaning is something we construct as humans—it’s the significance we ascribe to anything around us, whether it’s our actions, events, an owl, the numbers 11:11, stars or even the color green. As meaning-making machines, we naturally try to find patterns and connections in the world to make sense of our experiences. From a psychological perspective, this is how our brains cope with uncertainty and complexity. Meaning doesn’t just exist on its own; we create it based on our emotions, memories, and cultural influences, constantly trying to understand what things might symbolize or represent. But purpose is deeper. It’s not something we create, but something that is given—divinely woven into the very fabric of who we are. Purpose is what calls us toward something greater than ourselves, placed there by God Himself.

Meaning: A Human-Made Construction

In psychology and neuroscience, meaning refers to the framework our brains create to help us make sense of the world. Meaning is linked to how we interpret events, construct stories about ourselves, and perceive our place in society. It’s deeply tied to our memories, culture, and environment.

Research in neuroscience reveals that the human brain is hardwired to look for patterns and create meaning. The brain uses meaning-making as a way to reduce uncertainty and keep us mentally stable. When things don’t make sense, our minds scramble to fill in the blanks, creating narratives to make events coherent. In doing so, we often assign meaning to random events, accidents, or even suffering.

In a more secular sense, meaning is subjective—it's constructed. For one person, a life-altering event might mean personal growth, while for another, it might signify injustice or chaos. Meaning can shift, change, and even disappear depending on personal development, life stage, or worldview.

While meaning-making is useful for human survival and psychological well-being, it doesn’t necessarily point to the deeper truths of life. Meaning, being human-made, can sometimes feel hollow (and changeable) as it is only as strong as the framework we build around it.

Purpose: God-Given and Deeply Wired

Purpose, however, is not something we invent. It’s not a construct, but a calling—a divine motivation placed in our hearts by God. Neuroscientific research supports the idea that when people live with a sense of purpose, different parts of their brain activate in a way that promotes health, happiness, and resilience.

The prefrontal cortex, the region associated with higher-level thinking and goal-directed behavior, becomes more active when we focus on purposeful actions. Neuroscientists have observed that those who live with a clear sense of purpose are less prone to anxiety, depression, and feelings of emptiness. Purpose provides an anchoring, not just in the mind but in the body, influencing our mental health and emotional well-being.

From a psychological perspective, purpose also drives us toward long-term goals. Unlike meaning, which we often construct through external narratives, purpose is inherent within us. It is not something we need to seek out in the external world; instead, it emerges from introspection and self-reflection. This inner exploration reveals a sense of direction and fulfillment that transcends our individual experiences. Purpose serves as a guiding force that connects us to broader values and goals, imbuing our lives with significance and helping us navigate challenges with resilience.

For Christians, this sense of purpose is deeply rooted in their faith and comes from God. As stated in Jeremiah 29:11, "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Our purpose is not something we control; it is part of God’s divine design for us. When we align ourselves with His purpose, we discover a profound fulfillment that resonates beyond our personal aspirations.

The Neuroscience of Purpose vs. Meaning

Interestingly, studies show that while both meaning and purpose can give our lives direction, they engage different neural circuits. Meaning is often tied to the default mode network—the brain regions that activate when we reflect on our past, future, and social identity. This network is involved when we create stories about our lives or try to derive meaning from experiences.

Purpose, on the other hand, is linked to the executive network—the brain's system for goal-setting, focus, and taking action. Living with purpose activates the brain regions responsible for decision-making, motivation, and resilience. It is purpose that gives us a sense of direction that meaning alone cannot provide.

From a Christian perspective, this makes sense. God’s purpose for us is not just to reflect on the past or interpret our experiences—it is to act, to move forward with faith, and to live in alignment with His divine will.

Why Purpose Outweighs Meaning

Meaning can offer temporary relief or a way to understand the world, but it is fragile. When the frameworks we construct to make meaning break down, we may be left feeling lost. Think about moments when life doesn’t make sense—when tragedy strikes, or when unexpected challenges leave us questioning everything. In these times, human-made meaning often falls short.

But purpose remains, even when meaning crumbles. Purpose is not reliant on our circumstances or interpretations. It is a constant, a guiding force, placed within us by God.

A strong sense of purpose provides motivation and grit, acting as an anchor when human-made meaning falls short. While meaning can offer temporary relief and understanding, it is often fragile and contingent upon our circumstances. In contrast, purpose is a constant, resilient force that empowers us to persevere through life's challenges. Research shows that individuals with a clear sense of purpose are more likely to demonstrate grit, viewing setbacks as temporary obstacles rather than insurmountable barriers. This intrinsic motivation, rooted in a divine calling, enables us to navigate difficulties with resilience, ensuring that even when our understanding of the world falters, our purpose remains steadfast.

Consider the Apostle Paul, who endured imprisonment, beatings, and persecution, yet continued his mission. In Philippians 3:14, Paul writes, "I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." Paul wasn’t driven by meaning, but by purpose. He knew his mission wasn’t to understand every hardship but to fulfill the higher purpose God had set for him.

We live in a world obsessed with finding meaning, yet so often neglecting purpose. In the modern search for significance, people turn to all kinds of practices—self-help, mindfulness, or crafting personal narratives—to create meaning out of their lives. But these practices, while helpful in the short-term, don’t compare to the transformative power of living with a God-given purpose.

To find your purpose, we must first let go of the need to control everything—especially the need to make sense of every experience. Surrender to God’s will, trust in His plan, and allow His purpose to shape your life. As you do, you’ll experience a peace that surpasses human understanding (Philippians 4:7), knowing that your purpose is grounded in something eternal, not in the ever-changing stories we tell ourselves.

Conclusion

While meaning is a creation of the mind, purpose is a gift from God. Meaning helps us navigate life in the short term, but purpose provides the true direction we need to thrive. It’s what drives us, keeps us resilient, and connects us to something greater than ourselves. By aligning our lives with God’s purpose, we find a profound sense of fulfillment that no human-made meaning can provide.

So, when life doesn’t seem to make sense, remember that it doesn’t need to. Meaning may come and go, but your purpose is eternal—crafted by the Creator Himself. Seek it, trust it, and let it guide you.

To explore this further and find your direction, visit the blog "How to Find Your Purpose." Get excited to move forward on your journey!

Luna x