“God spoke to me and called me to His Service. What form this service was to take the voice did not say.”
- May 12, 1820 – August 13, 1910
- Born in the Grand Duchy of Tuscany (Italy)
- Nurse, statistician
- Established modern nursing, promoted sanitary reform through her work in the Crimean War, and wrote “Notes on Nursing”
Quote
“God spoke to me and called me to His Service. What form this service was to take the voice did not say.”
Explanation
In this quote, Florence Nightingale expresses her deep sense of divine calling and purpose. She describes an experience in which she felt that God had called her to serve, but the exact nature of that service was not immediately clear. This moment of spiritual calling, where she heard God’s voice, marks a pivotal moment in Nightingale’s life, leading her to dedicate herself to the work of nursing and hospital reform. Her words reflect a sense of humility and obedience to a higher purpose, even when the full scope of that purpose was not revealed to her at the time.
Nightingale’s faith played a central role in her approach to nursing and healthcare. She viewed her work as not just a profession but as a vocation, a form of divine service that she believed was part of God’s will for her life. She did not seek fame or personal recognition for her efforts; instead, she saw herself as a vessel for God’s work in the world. Her dedication to improving healthcare and nursing conditions—especially in the military hospitals during the Crimean War—was driven by this sense of being called to make a difference in the lives of others. The fact that she didn’t know the exact form her service would take shows her faith and trust that her mission would reveal itself through action and circumstance.
The concept of divine calling and purpose is still meaningful today, especially in contexts where individuals feel a deep sense of duty or mission that transcends their professional roles. Whether in healthcare, social justice, education, or other fields, many people are motivated by a sense of greater purpose in their work. Nightingale’s experience reminds us that the exact path forward is often unclear, but the belief that one is meant to serve a higher purpose can provide guidance, strength, and clarity along the way. The idea of being called to a purpose beyond oneself can offer a powerful sense of direction and meaning, even when the specific steps to take are unknown.
