James Allen (1864-1912) said, “Purpose is the keystone in the temple of achievement. It binds and holds together in a complete whole that which would otherwise lie scattered and useless. Empty whims, ephemeral fancies, vague desires, and half-hearted resolutions have no place in purpose.”
Purpose is fundamental and gives life a meaning. It gives us the will to live. Purpose makes us to want to get up in the morning and do something that will add value to other people’s lives.
Nothing can resist an unshakable purpose. Circumstances yield to the power of purpose. Hindrances and challenges stimulate the man of purpose and supply him with greater zeal and resolve. They are the ingredients that propel him to excellence, success and greatness. A man of purpose is not subdued by pains, mistakes or failures for his mind is always occupied with the pursuit of his purpose.
Successful people are men and women of purpose. They hold fast to an idea or plan and refuse to surrender. Jesus Christ was a man of purpose. His mission on earth was very clear to Him and all His actions were centred on His purpose. When Pilate asked Him if He was a king, Jesus answered, “You say rightly that I am a king. For this cause I was born, and for this cause I have come into the world…” (John 18:37). He lived his purpose on earth.
The fundamental question of the cause for which you were born must first be settled before your life can have a meaning. It is the fulcrum about which the lever of life turns. Myles Munroe said, “The greatest tragedy in life is not death, but a life without purpose.”
Purpose is God-given. It does not necessarily mean being successful. You can succeed in achieving your goals which you’ve set for yourself. Your goal may be to accumulate a lot of property or to distinguish yourself in your career or profession. But this may not mean fulfilling your life purpose. Your life purpose is about becoming what God created you to be.
I give glory to God for preserving and sustaining Pharmanews to mark its 40 years of uninterrupted monthly publication this year. Over the years, there have been tremendous challenges from different quarters but determination and commitment to the purpose has enabled us to keep going. We believe that God has a purpose for Pharmanews and therefore divinely provides the enabling environment for its fulfilment.
On 21st December 1978 the Spirit of God led me to write the vision and mission statement for Pharmanews. This document crystalised the purpose of Pharmanews and has been my source of inspiration up to today. I go through it whenever I encounter challenges. This purpose has been my guiding principle directly and indirectly in all I do. It drives my thinking and behaviour. And I strongly believe that service is key to any form of reward or recognition by God and man.
A noble or worthy purpose benefits people and attracts blessings of God because when you serve people you are indirectly serving God. But unworthy purpose cannot prosper and may even destroy the person in the end. That is why the purpose for any business or whatever we do must be critically examined.
Some years ago, I had an encounter with a former staff of our company. He was employed but later resigned because he got interested in printing contracts. At one time he requested for the contract to handle Pharmanews. I obliged him and gave him that opportunity but he messed up the job and I quickly cancelled the contract. Out of envy and bitterness he boasted that he would destroy my business by starting his own version of Pharmanews. His purpose was to kill Pharmanews. He actually proceeded to produce an edition of look-alike Pharmanews.
Unfortunately, that business ended with the maiden edition. There was no second one because his purpose was evil; just to destroy Pharmanews and not to provide a better serve to the health community. He was destroyed by his selfish ambition. He lost the little money he had and was heavily indebted to the printer. He learnt a great lesson of life.
Purpose is like the foundation of a building. If the foundation is faulty, there is possibility of damage or even collapse of the building. Businesses that are ill-conceived tend to have short life. If you have integrity, your success will bless and not harm others.
 said, “Purpose is the keystone in the temple of achievement. It binds and holds together in a complete whole that which would otherwise lie scattered and useless. Empty whims, ephemeral fancies, vague desires, and half-hearted resolutions have no place in purpose.”){kind=link}