Know who you are

YOUTH

Advice to young people confronted with life issues

By MARCEL EZRA MAPAI
MY name is Marcel Efi Mapai but I used Ezra as my middle name on my two books which I have published under Shane Baiva Publishing House.
I come from Inauaia village, In Mekeo,Central.
My two books are Learning From Failure and 5 Reasons Why Students Fail. There are scores of manuscripts in my hands which I’m looking forward to publish.
In a recent letter published in The National, I reiterated how I had written my two books and 11 articles using a phone to inspire others on the importance of the device which potential is limited and often abused by many young people.
I have attained a bachelor’s degree in Business Management at Divine Word University in 2017. I also attained a Certificate in Ministerial Studies under PNG Challenge Ministry in 2019. I’m looking forward to pursue further studies apart writing, editing and speaking I am engaged in currently.
Having been involved with youth ministries and associations over a decade now, and as an author and speaker, interacting with people through personal acquaintance and talking to young people in schools, colleges, social settings and sporting teams, I’ve begun to realise that there are two main things that youths in our nation lack.
These I want to share here having been given this privilege. These, among many things I have seen they are a sense of purpose and sense of direction.
A youth who lacks having a clear sense of purpose for his or her life will not know where he or she is going in life. In my speaking engagements and when I’m given opportunity to inspire youths, I try my best to inspire the youths that they have a purpose to live for. This purpose will render their lives meaning to live and that they are significant and not born by mistake. Young people have to be inspired in these vital areas.
Hence, it is important for a youth to understand that they have a God-given purpose for them fulfill. This in turn will be an anchor for his or her life. This will keep the young person grounded and having a clear direction to follow.

Abuse of our lives comes to ruin us because we don’t know what we are supposed to be doing. As such, we substitute it by doing other things which are not beneficial to us.

As a result of not understanding this important fact, many a youth will abuse his or her life. Many youths are victims already as result of these missing foundation lacking in their lives.
Being involved in youth leadership capacity for over a decade now, I’ve seen that the more responsible youths are the ones who know that they are special and have a purpose to fulfill. These are those who are self-assured, confident and live with a clear sense of purpose and direction for their lives. This makes them responsible young people.
I have seen youths who understand and have clearly defined their sense of purpose and direction for their lives rise to higher responsibilities and roles in their respective careers and rise to assume leadership roles among their peers.
It is not magical, though. But having a clear sense of purpose has its many advantages. It brings goals and plans into perspective and aligns one to a life a clearer perspective. It helps us concentrate our efforts on worthy goals and not abuse our lives in the community and streets.
Abuse of our lives comes to ruin us because we don’t know what we are supposed to be doing. As such, we substitute it by doing other things which are not beneficial to us.
The result of not having a clear sense of purpose to live for is a huge disaster. A life without a clear sense of purpose is a life a complete tragedy! We must try our best to not allow our young people take this lane if we want a better and responsible PNG down the years.
We have a plague in our nation PNG. Our youths are purposeless and as a result, they are without a clear direction for their lives.
In my leadership capacities, I’ve tried my best to instill this reality in the minds of my members and those whom I have the privilege to inspire in my speaking engagements. By the grace of God, many young people I’ve led in my leadership and mentored them have turned to be responsible young people. Many of them bought copies of my first and second books.
It inspires me to see youths adjusting their lifestyle, redefining their decisions and choices after speaking to them and showing them the importance of why a life a purpose is so significant. It inspires me in my interaction with young people to see them become more intentional, adjusted and prioritised to pursue and achieve their dreams and visions.
God created us with a clear sense of purpose to live for and fulfill. It is important to grasp this important truth. If you feel like you don’t have a purpose to fulfill, you are going against the original plan of God for your life.
The place to begin is this: You are special and God has a plan and purpose for you to fulfill.
God’s Word says in Jeremiah 29:11 says; “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
You have God’s plan under your name. You have a future to live for. Isn’t that amazing? Only you can fulfill this plan of God for your life. That’s God’s parking space for you.
It doesn’t matter what your background is, you can turn your life around if you understand that nothing is impossible with God. You can rise up out of your situation if you understand the power of faith in God.
To purchase my books or should you wish to invite me to inspire our young ones in schools, churches or any social settings, I can be contacted through my WhatsApp number; 7345 0343 or Gmail; [email protected].