Dr. John Mukoro, mni
The notion that a harder path might signal a higher calling offers a compelling framework for understanding life’s challenges. This perspective suggests that extraordinary difficulties aren’t merely obstacles but rather crucial preparation for extraordinary purposes. When we encounter seemingly disproportionate challenges while pursuing our goals, it’s worth considering whether these very struggles are forging the tools, character, and wisdom necessary for a greater impact.
Consider how natural phenomena mirror this principle. Diamonds, among the most valuable and resilient substances on Earth, form only under extreme pressure and heat. The most robust trees often grow in challenging environments, where constant winds and harsh conditions force them to develop deeper roots and stronger cores. Similarly, our most significant challenges might be developing precisely the qualities required for our unique purpose.
This understanding transforms our relationship with difficulty. Instead of viewing hardships as punishment or bad luck, we can begin to see them as preparation. The entrepreneur facing repeated setbacks might be developing the resilience and innovation skills needed to create a company that will eventually employ hundreds. The artist struggling through years of rejection might be refining both their craft and the emotional depth that will eventually touch millions through their work. The advocate facing constant opposition might be building the very understanding and determination needed to effect meaningful social change.
The concept of a “higher calling” inherently suggests a purpose that transcends personal comfort or conventional success. It implies a contribution that serves something greater than ourselves, whether that’s a community, a cause, or humanity at large. Such callings often require exceptional qualities that can only be developed through significant challenges:
•Deeper empathy often emerges from personal struggle. Those who have navigated difficult circumstances often develop a profound understanding of others’ challenges. This hard-earned empathy becomes an invaluable tool in serving and supporting others, especially in leadership or helping professions.
•Wisdom rarely comes from easy experiences. The complexity of difficult situations forces us to develop nuanced thinking, better judgment, and a deeper understanding of human nature. This wisdom becomes essential when tackling significant problems or guiding others through their challenges.
•Resilience, perhaps one of the most crucial qualities for any meaningful endeavor, is built through repeatedly facing and overcoming obstacles. Each setback, when approached with the right mindset, strengthens our capacity to persist and adapt.
•Authenticity and conviction often deepen when we must repeatedly choose our path despite easier alternatives. The pressure to compromise or take an easier route can actually strengthen our commitment to our values and vision when we choose to stay true to them.
•Innovation and creativity frequently emerge from constraint and challenge. When conventional paths are blocked, we’re forced to think differently and develop new solutions. This capacity for creative problem-solving becomes invaluable in fulfilling larger purposes.
This principle is not just theoretical—it is something I have personally lived through.
In 2022, my wife, Linda, made the bold decision to pursue her master’s degree in the United Kingdom. It was a costly and demanding step for our family, requiring sacrifices, adjustments, and faith in the journey ahead. Then, in 2023, I made my own commitment to growth by enrolling in the Senior Executive Course at the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) in Kuru, Jos. This was not just a financial commitment; it was an investment of time and energy.
For one full year, I had to leave my business behind and dedicate myself entirely to a rigorous academic schedule—attending classes from 9 AM to 5 PM every day. It was an intense and stressful period for our family. The financial strain was real, and the demands of balancing personal, professional, and academic responsibilities were overwhelming.
But just like a pregnant woman who forgets the nine months of pain once she holds her baby, that year of struggle is now a distant memory. Today, my wife has a good job in the United Kingdom, and I am a proud member of the prestigious National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, earning the title mni (Member of the National Institute). Looking back, the sacrifices we made were necessary stepping stones to where we stand today.
Historical examples abound of individuals whose greatest contributions were preceded or accompanied by significant challenges. Nelson Mandela’s 27 years in prison shaped his extraordinary capacity for leadership and reconciliation. Vincent van Gogh’s struggles with mental health and rejection during his lifetime arguably contributed to the depth and emotional power of his art. Marie Curie’s pioneering scientific work was accomplished despite significant gender discrimination and limited resources.
However, this perspective requires important caveats. It shouldn’t be used to romanticize suffering or suggest that all hardship is meaningful. Not every challenge is directly connected to our purpose, and it’s important to distinguish between productive struggles that build necessary qualities and unnecessary hardships that should be addressed or removed. Additionally, this framework shouldn’t be used to minimize the real pain and difficulty of challenging circumstances.
Instead, this perspective offers a constructive lens through which to view those challenges that arise while pursuing meaningful goals. When we find ourselves facing particular difficulty while moving toward something we believe matters, we might ask:
•What qualities is this challenge developing in me?
•How might these struggles be preparing me for future responsibilities?
•What understanding am I gaining that could be valuable in serving others?
•How is this experience shaping my capacity to contribute meaningfully?
This reframing can provide strength and perspective during difficult times. It suggests that the magnitude of our challenges might be proportional to the magnitude of our potential impact. Rather than being discouraged by the difficulty of our path, we can choose to see it as validation of the importance of our journey.
The harder path often demands more from us—more patience, more persistence, more courage, more growth. But perhaps that’s exactly the point. The challenges we face might be building precisely the character, skills, and wisdom required for the contribution we’re meant to make.
In embracing this perspective, we don’t diminish the reality of our struggles. Rather, we honor them as part of our preparation for meaningful service and impact. The harder path becomes not just an obstacle to overcome, but a crucial part of our development and readiness for our higher calling.
This understanding can transform how we approach challenges, helping us maintain hope and purpose even in difficult times. While the path may be harder, the higher calling makes it worthwhile, and the challenges themselves might be exactly what we need to become who we’re meant to be.
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