"The tragedy of life is not death, but rather, it’s living
without purpose! "
Myles Munroe
Like so many people, I’ve read good books and heard great
speakers talk about the importance of
“purpose” - “vision” and “mission” statements necessary for business and
personal guidance for the journey through life. And like most, I had good
intentions but never got around to actually writing it down. Oh I had ideas floating around in my head
about how I envisioned the way my work life and personal life should look, but never
really focused my thinking until one night on a very long overseas flight back
home.
For several hours on that plane, I wrote, re-wrote, thought,
mediated on the direction I wanted my life to go and contemplated the real
“reason” I exist on this earth and the purpose of my life and business. On that
night, I put pen to paper and wrote 3 separate purpose statements for My Business, My Marriage and for My Life.
Although I have it committed to memory, on occasion I will pull out the original
hand written paper to check on my progress, get re-focused, or make needed
adjustments.
So why is having a Purpose Statement so important? Forgive
me, but I have two very personal examples, in which I make my argument
practical and relevant,
2.
Gina lost the battle with cancer, but she was
victorious in life because she knew her purpose. On this earth Gina was not well known by the masses. But she was known by many in her circle of influence and had a powerful impact on those who knew her
best. Especially me. Gina had “purpose”
and knew who she was in this world and her purpose while living accompanied with the comforting certainty
of her eternal destination at death. Until her last days I
witnessed her live out the answer to the Westminster Shorter Catechism
question, i.e. “What is the chief end of man?” Answer.. “To
glorify God, and to enjoy Him forever.”
glorify God, and to enjoy Him forever.”
Gina
would agree with the apostle Paul and his proclamation while writing a letter to Timothy during his own pending death……
“ I have fought the good fight, I have
finished the race. I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the
crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me
on that day: and not to me only, but also to all who have longed for his
appearing.” 2 Timothy 4:7
As for me, I will continue to live out, with God’s help and
in accordance to His will, the “purpose statement” I have written for my life
and my business. If you want to see what a simple but well thought out “Purpose
Statement” looks like, let me know, I’ll be happy to share with you.
As I have consulted hundreds and hundreds of students and
business professionals over the years, I implore you, don’t sleep walk through
life. You have a purpose on this earth. I don’t believe God put you on this
earth to merely suck up air and then die. What is the purpose of your
organization? Is it just to make money? I don’t think so. Mature, serious adults
and leaders will contemplate then answer these questions. So, What is it? Write it down and then live it
out as we all strive to…
Finish Well