Do you know you’re irreplaceable?

There’ll never be another person just like you in the entire universe.

“But why am I here?”

Discovering one’s purpose and calling, I’ve found, can be a daunting task.

I love writing articles and songs. When I turned the big “SIX 0” many moons ago, my children surprised me with an exact copy of the Fender Strat Guitar I used to play in the early ‘70s.

They also gave me an amplifier and a keyboard.

But I hadn’t the faintest idea how to play keyboard. On top of that, I hadn’t played guitar since 1976.

So, I was rusty as an old nail. In all honesty though, there were times when I felt like giving up.

But in the back of my mind, I had a porcupine question sticking needles into me: “How do you think it’s going to make the kids feel if they see their gift gathering dust?”

I felt convicted to step out of my comfort zone.

After months tinkering, I began the painstaking task of learning how to program the newfangled keyboard.

Then one day it happened – a band of invisible “musicians” began playing along with me.

I couldn’t contain my excitement.

What it also did was to inject a newfound passion and motivation.

Which brings me to another experience I had many years ago.

When I was struggling with some self-esteem issues, I discovered an interesting nugget of wisdom dating
back over 2000 years: “For we are God’s workmanship created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do!” Ephesians 2:10

In the process of unpacking it, a challenging question emerged: “Do you know how unique you are?”

The question struck a chord deep.

It made me realise I’d been focusing my energies inwardly, thinking what a failure I was and unworthy of success.

And without meaning to, I’d become self-centered.

Yes, sobering thought indeed, but it also made me extremely uncomfortable.

So, I began the journey of changing how I saw myself.

But here’s a question for you – if, for just a fleeting moment, you were to acknowledge that Ephesians 2:10 is an absolute truth, would it change anything about how you see yourself?

And would it make a difference to may be what your future looks like?

If you happen to be one of those people whose found their calling, I commend you.

But if you’re someone who’s been asking “what the heck am I here for” hopefully in the next few minutes we’ll focus on finding some answers.

But first, let me share a true story about someone who believed they knew exactly what they were created for.

He was a mature aged adult with an exceptionally high IQ.

Because he was an expert in religious law, he was highly respected.

Some even feared him because of the power and authority he wielded.

A whole army of men was at his command.

When he instructed them to do something, they did it without question.

The man’s name was Saul.

His job was to round up followers of Jesus and torture them, stone them to death or imprison them.

He relished his role because he genuinely believed he was doing God’s work.

During one of his “hunting” trips to Syria he had, what can only be described as, a heavenly encounter.

The story goes that a very bright light shone down on the cohort he was travelling with.

Saul became so terrified hearing the audible voice of Jesus speaking directly to him, he fell from his horse and cowered in fear.

To make matters worse he became blind.

So you can imagine this once proud and powerful man literally brought to his knees.

And then having to rely on his soldiers to guide him by the hand into the city of Damascus.

But the story gets better.

Living in the same city was a guy by the name of Ananias.

And in a vision, Ananias was given an assignment by God to pray for Saul.

But Ananias had heard through the grapevine about Saul’s ruthless rage against Christ’s followers.

So, he was petrified.

However, God gave Ananias the courage to carry out the task. As Ananias began praying for Saul, something like a “veil” was lifted from his eyes and he began seeing again.

Saul was so transformed that he remained in Damascus for two years.

It was during this period of spiritual awakening when he learned about his true calling – to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ.

The likelihood of us having a Saul experience is remote.

So, we need to search for other ways of finding our calling.

Many of us hate change because change has a way of unsettling the best of us.

And if we’re older, change can feel overwhelming.

Living in the bubble of our comfort zone is what makes most of us happy.

Yes, me included! Any move into unfamiliar territory begins causing us all kinds of stress.

The other reason can be because some of us point blank refuse to budge from a position we feel is in direct conflict to what we believe to be our truth.

It was the same for Saul. Even though his wake-up call was of a super-natural kind, he eventually heeded the call.

And his transformation was so amazing that he took on the new name of Paul.

The Apostle Paul became one of the most inspiring authors and leaders of the New Testament Bible.

So, why are you here? Most times your purpose will be aligned with your passion.

Ask people you like, respect and trust what they think are your strengths and talents.

The other thing you can do is an online “personality profile” analysis or a life assessment review.

Most are free and can take from as little as five to 15 minutes.

Or you might consider doing a simple survey on yourself.

In the space of a week or two, begin writing down the things you really enjoy doing.

What puts a smile on your face? Remember, purpose is aligned with passion.

“But you don’t know my situation”, I hear some of you say!

You’re right, I don’t!

All of us are at different points in life.

Maybe you’ve lost your job and struggling to put food on the table.

You might be retired. Or maybe you’re a highly qualified individual who’s struggling to land a job. No matter where you’re at, there’s hope.

Sometimes, we need to bite the bullet and take a leap of faith just like Indiana Jones in The Last Crusade.

And if you happen to fall flat on your face, just get up, dust yourself off and go again.

Remember, failure is not final.

We’ve all failed at something.

Some more so than others.

In fact, some of the most successful people in the world have failed more times than the rest of us.

Failure helps build many muscles including strength of character, commitment, and work ethic.

Failure can also spawn creativity.

However, should you decide to begin the journey of discovering your passion and purpose, be aware of the enemy waiting in ambush.

Negativity!

Over the years, I’ve developed different ways of defeating negativity.

At the end of the day, it’s my choice what I allow into my mind.

So, I’m extremely focused about shielding myself from the negative barbs that often enter my headspace trying to cut me down telling me I’m useless.

I’ve become aware that if I allow negativity in, it’ll begin eating away at my selfesteem and confidence.

So, one of the things I do is to attack negativity using different types of scripture like:

“I take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ!”

“No weapon formed against me can prosper!”

“You are my shield and fortress!”

“I can do all things through Jesus Christ who strengthens me!”

And I constantly remind myself I am God’s workmanship created for good works.

We’ve all been given the wherewithal to fight the good fight.

Whether we choose to use it or not, it is ours alone!

We’re living in a “war” zone constantly battling to preserve our self-esteem, our wellbeing, our sanity, and peace of mind.

So, spending time building our mental, emotion and spiritual “muscle” is vital to our well-being.

When you’re mentally, emotionally, and spiritually focused and fit, you’ll be better equipped in handling life’s many battles and challenges.

Another thing I do is I refuse to allow myself to become a victim.

I’ve trained myself to fight back with the victorious weapons of war and encouragement in the Bible.

It’s been my saving grace for many years.

Do I sometimes falter?

Yes, I do.

Because I’m human.

But regardless of the times I falter and fail because of my imperfections, I know without a shadow of doubt that God always welcomes me back with open arms like the loving merciful Father that He is.

So, I’ve stopped beating up on myself because I know my Heavenly Dad sent His only Son, Jesus Christ, just over 2000 years ago to do a job that no one else could do.

And that job’s been done.

It is finished.

So, when I’m feeling down about something, I’ve learned to lean on the Lord.

He always comes through for me and shows me the way I should go.

If it helps, may be start your journey with a simple prayer like, “Lord, your word in Ephesians 2:10 says that I’ve been created to be your workmanship.

What is it that you’ve created and assigned for me to do?

Please guide my journey – even if it’s on the road less travelled.

And please strengthen me and prepare me for the challenges ahead. Thank you!”

Continue thanking Him every day for the answer.

And keep plugging away to discover you true calling.

Guidance will come and so will the means to do what you’ve been called to do!

May God grant you the wisdom and strength to discover who you are and your true calling in life.

* COLIN DEOKI is a regular contributor to this newspaper. The views expressed are the author’s and not necessary of this newspaper.