I have been wanting to write a blog post for awhile, now. I even started one a few weeks ago, but wasn't satisfied with it, so it was put on hold. Right now, though, I have so many thoughts rushing through my head, and I have a massive drive to write, so I'm hoping at least one idea comes out in the way that I want.
I was just talking to my mom about having a voice. We all have so much to say; we have our thoughts and opinions, the things that drive us, and the things that we are most passionate about. How often, though, do we let our voices get drowned out or smothered by the people around us? Do we decide to become complacent, or let people's assumptions about us drive our actions?
I try really hard to have a voice, whenever I can. I speak up, probably more often than I should, and I work really hard to act in accordance to who I am, rather than how someone perceives me. You see, I've learned that it only matters what one individual thinks of me: my Heavenly Father. I understand who I am. My identity is secure. I am a daughter of God. Yes, I have other things that make up my identity: daughter, sister, aunt, friend. Most other labels, though, I don't care about. That's because most other labels are not eternal in nature - so they hold no real power or importance in my life. At least, they shouldn't.
Our voices can be found as we come to understand who we are and why we are important. A scripture story that has become significant to me for the past several months is when God appears to Moses. After He gives His introduction, one of the first things He says to Moses is, "Behold, thou art my son," (Moses 1:4). BAM. The first two things God says to Moses is to explain who God is, and then to explain who Moses is.
Once God leaves, Moses makes the statement, "Now for this cause I know that man is nothing, which thing I never had supposed," (Moses 1:10). Just a little while later, Satan comes to him and tries to tempt him, attempting to get him to worship Satan. Moses' response is, "I am a son of God," (Moses 1:13) and it is this statement and this knowledge that gives Moses the power to withstand all of Satan's temptations. The two things that Moses states can seem a little bit contradictory. But, let me elaborate a little bit.
Compared to God, man is nothing. Yet, the very fact that we are children of God gives us greatness and power. Think of a toddler compared to his dad. The son is watching his dad fix something in the house, maybe something wrong with the kitchen sink. He tries to imitate his dad, but he is clumsy, unsteady, and unfamiliar with the tools. Compared to his dad, he does not have much skill and, obviously, would be seen as a rather terrible plumber. That's how we are, compared to God. We're just fumbling along through life. We are nothing, compared to God's flawless skill and knowledge.
Good thing our worth does not come from who we are compared to God. Instead, it comes from who we are TO God. We are His children. Therefore, we are of infinite worth. Nothing else matters - no, really. Let me repeat that. Nothing else matters. I don't care where you come from, what you have done in your past - heck, what you have done a half hour ago - or how you feel about yourself, YOU are a child of GOD. Therefore, you are significant. You are important. You have worth. You are enough. Those things will always be constant, because of who you are. Whether or not you see that? Well, that depends on you. When you compare yourself to the people around you, when you put meaningless labels on yourself, when you look towards God as an obstacle, because you're falling short of His expectations for you, rather than the one who helps you when you fall short of those expectations, you may have a hard time having a voice. But, when you realize that you are a child of God, significant to Him, no matter what mistakes you make or characteristics you have, then, then you will have great power.
I've mentioned a few times that knowing who I am has given me strength to overcome my temptations and handle my weakness. I will repeat it over, and over, and over again. I will be your strongest advocate when the world tries to tear you down - even if you try to tear yourself down. YOU ARE IMPORTANT. You have worth. Own you. Own your flaws. Own what makes you you.
Me? I love music. I love sarcasm. I'm a nerd. I'm a book worm. I'm awkward. I love pizza and hate peas. I'm a loyal friend, but I can also be clingy and annoying. I love to work hard and be busy, but I also am really lazy when I don't have specific things to do. I complain a lot. I am attracted to girls. I play racquetball. I'm terrible at arts, though I love appreciating art. I'm really bad at drawing, but I am pro at coloring in coloring books. So many things. And they are part of what makes me me. I'm not ashamed of any part, though I do try to improve, smooth the rough edges, and become better. I am me. I can move forward with confidence because none of these things are actually important. What is important is that I know I am a daughter of God. He will put up with those things, because He loves me, and He will help me when I turn towards His embrace. I can't become confident in myself without Him and understand who I am to Him.
I encourage you to take some time to think about who you are to your Heavenly Father. I promise you that when you come to understand your identity, in the most eternal sense, you will be able to conquer the world. Also, if you need a little bit more help and encouragement, I'm sure Lettie, the Bearded Lady can help you out.
If you have a few extra minutes or if you would like to study this idea further, you can watch a video from a magnificent speaker who tells about overcoming his embarrassing label of "Loin Boy," watch or read Elder Uchtdorf's talk, "You Matter to Him," or read the entire account of Moses' experience.
