This may be an odd question, but is there something in this world that only you can do? This particular question has driven me to action at certain times, and has also caused me to pull back and let others take the lead. And it may sound egotistical to a certain extent – we know we are all replaceable, so how could there possibly be something that only I could do that someone else couldn’t do better or differently?
I suppose I have to put some caveats on the question…is there something only you can do…
-at this moment in time
-in this place
-to meet this specific need
and then perhaps we might begin to filter down to the essence of the question.
And to put it more eloquently from the book God in My Everything; How an Ancient Rhythm Helps Busy People Enjoy God by Ken Shigematsu “By inner persuasions He draws us to a few very definite tasks, our tasks, God’s burdened heart particularizing His burdens in us.”
Which can really turn into…is this what God has called you to do at this moment for His purposes? Or to be more general, while there may be others who can do the job, has God specifically equipped you for this task?
However you want to look at it…here are a couple of examples from my life. As I briefly share these , I’m sure you will think of examples in your life, as well. When Vail Christian High School opened in 1998, our first principal had the task of setting curriculum and hiring qualified teachers. At the time I was working in a “dream job” at a Christian book store and furniture store. I loved displaying Tim Keller, C. S. Lewis and Jan Karon in antique pieces of furniture, or reproduction pieces crafted with warm English pine. Setting lamps around to cast just the right glow to highlight a new Christian bestseller was just simply fun.
As the principal began his months-long crafting of the school and its personnel, the first teacher to fall into place was my husband, who the principal said he had to hire or he wouldn’t open the school. Then he came to me and said it would be a feather in our cap to be a small private school and teach both Spanish and French – and I was the only one who could do that in the valley.
So I analyzed the situation and heard in my head…lots of people can sell Christian books and furniture, but you’re the only one who can teach both Spanish and French. Prayed. Decision made, despite my not wanting to leave this sweet spot of a job. Could others do it better or differently? Sure, but I happened to be the only one at the time and in that place who could do it.
When we returned from Africa and I taught Spanish at another Christian school, I yearned to be back in the mission field – I missed it desperately. By the 3rd year of teaching, I kept hearing “you need to be outside the classroom, you need to GO, not teach.” As I began to search for mission opportunities, I quickly realized that very few Americans can speak other languages, much less want to work overseas. I was a rare bird who could speak Spanish and French, which opened up a lot of nations for me as a worker for Jesus. I submitted these abilities to God and asked him to put me in a place where I could jump into ministry – and ended up working in France and Cuba for several years! Others can speak multiple languages and probably better than me, but I happened to be the only one who wanted to GO to the field, spoke 2 languages and could meet a need at the missions agency where I ended up working.
Do you find yourself in the same spot? You have a talent, a specific gifting, a passion for something that makes you the “only” person to serve the Lord in a unique situation at this time and in this place? Listen for God’s call, for his voice that is urging you, for the fire he’s lighting within you. He may be saying, at this moment, a most unlikely moment of retirement, I’m calling you to do something that “only” you can do for me, right now, right here. Open your heart and your ears…listen for what he’s saying to you.
And after all that pondering, consider this question from “The Lost Art of Thinking” article:
“How does my schedule reflect my ultimate values?
Don't Waste Your Retirement 