A certain movie that came out a few years ago led many teens and pre-teens to wonder this very thing. One young man was labeled the basketball guy; one young woman didn’t want to be sucked back into the world of math and science without trying to explore other options; another girl was determined to keep her own identity wrapped up tight in the world of drama and music.
I immediately appreciated the message this movie portrays, that we are so much more than our obvious talents make us out to be. If this weren’t truth I would never have tried out for Pep Club my junior year of high school, as my obvious talents lay in the fields of music and writing. Yet I made it and had a wonderful time.
You need to take a moment, however, and focus on who you really are. This one important trait can do more for the foundation of your identity than any other, even if you are the star of the football team.
You are a child of God.
Why is knowing this so important? James E. Faust, former member of the 1st Presidency of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (commonly known as the Mormon Church), gives us a great example:
“Dr. Fred Rile, a prominent social worker, has treated many athletes who identify themselves as athletes rather than as children of God. He relates: ‘What happens when they can’t play basketball? Their identity is shot.’ Their self-worth is related to their physical skills rather than their character. Many who achieve world-class recognition may not like themselves. Some of the rich and famous, even though they have great talent and ability, are insecure and succumb to drugs, alcohol, or immorality, and their lives become shattered. Instead of being happy with who they are, they become dissatisfied and discontent. They measure their self-worth solely in terms of their talent and accomplishments instead of who they really are inside. It is not always true that the more you achieve, the happier you will be or that you will like yourself more” (James E. Faust, “Who Do You Think You Are? – A Message to Youth,” Liahona, Jun 2001).
Some of the wealthiest and most ‘successful’ individuals in the world are not truly content. They are continually looking for something more, that elusive entity that will make them feel whole and happy.
As a child of God you have been given some extraordinary talents. With those talents comes a responsibility to develop and utilize them to further the Lord’s work. When you take those talents and begin using them for your own selfish gain, you lose sight of who you really are. Yes riches and fame may come, but you will also find misery and a sense of loss.
Now is the time to find out who you really are. If you don’t already know yourself to be a child of God, begin with a prayer. If prayer feels uncomfortable, pick up a Holy Bible or a Book of Mormon (another testament of Jesus Christ).
For those who feel you do know yourself as a child of God, now is the time to study and begin to discover what that really means.
