Let me start with this reference from Ephesians 1:4-5 (NIV), which says:
“For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will.”
The above quotation makes it clear that God knew us before we were born and has a plan for our lives. God knew you before you were conceived in your mother’s womb. In Jeremiah 1:5, He declares:
“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; before you were born I sanctified you; I ordained you a prophet to the nations.”
I am always excited when I read Jeremiah 29:11, which says:
“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.”
Based on these truths, there must be a way for us to know God’s plan for our lives. He does not expect us to go through life in a state of confusion and uncertainty. He does not expect us to waste our lives doing the wrong things. Therefore, He will communicate with us if we desire to hear and obey Him.
One of the powers given to you is the ability to hear, through the inward ear, the voice of God guiding you. Isaiah 30:21 (NIV) says:
“Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, ‘This is the way; walk in it.’”
It is your responsibility to ask God. He takes delight in those who ask for their needs and is ready to answer as long as we ask according to His will. Matthew 7:7-8 (NKJV) says:
“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks, it will be opened.”
What is the greatest desire of your heart? This is a clue to God’s plan for your life. God places desires in your heart for the purpose of fulfilling your destiny. Psalm 37:4 (NIV) says:
“Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.”
As you delight in knowing and serving God, He places in your heart the desires of those things that are in His plan for your life. Proverbs 10:24b (NKJV) says:
“And the desire of the righteous will be granted.”
Desire is given by God as part of the development of your destiny. God has given us free will, but He knows our personality, gifts, and talents and uses them to shape our desires in ways that bring fulfilment to life. We all have wishes and fantasies, but they are only passing thoughts, not true desires.
When I reflect on my life, I marvel at how God placed in my heart the desire to study Pharmacy. My strong desire for a B.Pharm degree enabled me to overcome many challenges. The greatest disappointment was that after my admission in September 1961, the university cancelled the programme towards the middle of the first session and continued only with a diploma course. A few classmates abandoned the diploma course and left. I was among those who persisted and completed the course in 1964.
The financial strain was not an issue because I was awarded a generous Pfizer scholarship. I started work with Pfizer as soon as I finished my final exams in June 1964. However, my mind was not on the job but on obtaining my B.Pharm degree. At this time, the challenge was securing the funds to return to university in 1966.
I knew that Pfizer would not support me financially again, so I decided to generate the money elsewhere. I joined the West African Drug Company on Broad Street, Lagos. After a few months, I moved to a Lebanese company, HB & Sons. However, my employment was terminated after a few months due to the January 1966 coup, and I was paid three months’ salary in lieu of notice.
Thereafter, I joined the Federal Ministry of Health. From there, I ran to the University of Ife, and the government even paid me for some extra months. As a result of my strong desire, God fully satisfied my financial needs, and His plan for my life was fulfilled.
