I INTERACT with people from my programmes, and the word purpose is mentioned in many of our discussions. It is a blessing that many have found their purpose through some of my programmes, and that is a big, big blessing. We featured the faces of some of the purpose-driven people in my circle, and we are featuring some more of those faces. I admire people who are intentional about showing up and taking action; I am extremely proud of them.
Many people have written great content on purpose, but Myles Munroe and John Maxwell are top of my list.  Myles Munroe said, “Until purpose is discovered, existence has no meaning, for purpose is the source of fulfillment.”
I believe that all were created with a purpose, but, unfortunately, some people die before discovering theirs.

Sharing an excerpt from Myles Munroe’s ‘In Pursuit of Purpose’
“It was the moment for which everyone had been waiting all evening. The thunderous applause of the excited crowd filled the air after the mayor made the announcement:

‘Ladies and gentlemen, it gives me great pleasure to present the Annual Outstanding Citizen of the Year Award to Dr. Clyde Wilson, Jr., for his distinguished service to this community.’

A well-built, clean-cut young man rose to his feet, and walked confidently towards the stage. Sitting at the table he had left were his father, Mr. Clyde Wilson, Sr., and his mother, Emily. This was the moment for which they had waited all their lives to see their son become all they had ever envisioned for him. As pride filled their hearts, they knew that no one in the room could understand their sense of accomplishment, satisfaction and fulfillment. Mr. Wilson had always dreamed of being a medical doctor. While his son was still quite young, the father had told him that he would do whatever it took to see that the son could become the doctor the father had never been. Young Clyde’s parents had laboured at many jobs over the years, and had lived without the conveniences of life, just to make it possible for their son to attend medical school and complete his internship. This evening made those sacrifices worthwhile, as Clyde junior now brought honour and respect to the family. As Dr. Wilson stood on stage, holding the plaque, the crowd rose to their feet. Cameras flashed, and shouts of elation filled the room. Then, as the applause subsided, silence filled the room. Everyone waited for the response of the good doctor. For a moment, he stood erect, poised to speak. Then his composure broke, and, with tears flooding his eyes, the young doctor pleaded with his parents in a loud voice that mirrored the despair in his eyes, “Please, Mom and Dad, forgive me. I am sorry, but I can’t go on.”

Bewildered and embarrassed by the moment, the chairman helped the doctor off the stage. The crowd stood in questioning shock. What could possibly be stealing this great moment from this successful individual? As Clyde and his parents drove home that evening, Clyde attempted to explain to his perplexed parents the cause of his uncontrollable behaviour. As his words spilled over one another, he tried to describe the frustration that had built within him over the past ten years.
“Everything I’ve accomplished and achieved during these years has been done to please you, Dad, and to fulfill your life-long dreams. I have become what you wanted me to be, but I have never become who I am,” he said.

“In spite of all the cars, homes and other material things I now have, my life is empty. I never wanted to be a doctor like you did, Dad. In truth, I hate being a doctor. I always wanted to be a musician, but you and Mom would not allow me to follow that dream. Please understand. I love and respect you deeply. I know all you have sacrificed to provide me with my education, and I thank you for it. But tonight, I realised that I cannot continue living to fulfill your dreams and expectations. I must start fulfilling my own. When I accepted that award tonight, I felt like a hypocrite; someone I don’t even know earned that award, because I don’t know myself. I want to live; I want to come alive. I want to be what I was born to be. Please set me free and let me live.”

There are millions of Clyde Wilson juniors in our world. Perhaps you are one of them. They are busy, active, dedicated, faithful, famous people who are accepted, respected, revered and admired, but deep inside, they are tired, frustrated, bored, disillusioned, confused, empty and depressed. Their lives are aimless. Day after day, they go on smiling, pretending and living up to an identity and reputation that is different from their true selves. The lies they live and the inner yearning to be freed from the tyranny that binds them are a constant source of internal conflict. Whether black, brown, yellow, red or white, you and I are pulled by destiny towards a meaningful, fulfilling life. This human need for personal meaning and satisfaction is universal. Each of us must discover this personal purpose and pursue it relentlessly, or we will fail to live a rich, whole, meaningful life.”

I am sure most of us know a similar story. I know of a woman who retired from a job she hated because she didn’t have the courage like Clyde to tell her parents that what she was doing was their dreams. John Maxwell also said, “Success is knowing your purpose in life, growing to reach your maximum potential and sowing seeds that benefit others. Whenever I mentor people and help them discover their purpose, I always encourage them to start the process by discovering their strengths, not exploring their shortcomings. Why? Because people’s purpose in life is always connected to their giftedness. It always works that way. You are not called to do something that you have no talent for. You will discover your purpose by finding and remaining in your strength zone.”

No one can keep a man down who has found his purpose. “Great are your purposes and mighty are your deeds. Your eyes are open to the ways of all mankind; you reward each person according to their conduct and as their deeds deserve.”Jeremiah 32:19
I am grateful for every day and start the day with the intentionality to continue to dig the well with the understanding that I may not even drink from the well. I thank God that I have found my purpose and I encourage others to be in the pursuit of purpose as we celebrate this beautiful journey called life BEYOND THE RUNWAY.