Before you go looking to "find" yourself...

BIBLICAL POINT OF REFERENCE:

"So whoever is in Christ is a new creation: the old things have passed away; behold, new things have come."

~2 Corinthians 5:17

It’s hard to describe what it exactly means to “find” yourself. How does one “find” themselves? What does something that large in life entail or require?

Let me take you back to my freshman year of high school:

The summer before 9th grade, I had decided to join the Color Guard team at my high school. I absolutely LOVED it! It was so much fun, the girls I was with were incredibly nice and wonderful, and I was learning a unique sport. That feeling of belonging on the Color Guard team was almost tangible, and I knew I had discovered a part of myself that was simply amazing.

But once school started, I began to receive comments and teasing about being on Color Guard. I hadn’t realized before that Color Guard wasn’t a popular activity to participate—it was actually perceived as quite nerdy, as we were the “cheerleader rejects.”

I was extremely disheartened when I realized this; not because I was ashamed to be in Color Guard, but because the sport that meant so much to me wasn’t being taken seriously. I was hurt that kids could be so cruel about what kinds of clubs other students chose to participate in. That didn’t stop me from staying on the team—I actually continued with Color Guard through my first two years of college, all of which I thoroughly enjoyed.

I don’t think I would be the same person I am today without having been a part of Color Guard for all those years. I may not have known it when I was 14, but choosing to stick with certain activities and hobbies has contributed to a large part of my personality and mannerisms now.

What’s interesting about that reflection is that I did not go intentionally looking for Color Guard to change me. I didn’t purposefully seek it out and expect it to change me for the better. I did, however, accept the opportunity that was placed in front of me. And it just happened to be the right fit.

I don’t think we can always go looking for ourselves. If we’re hoping to “find” something new about ourselves, we might be trying too hard. Sure, it’s great to have goals and to make your dreams come true—I’m all for that! (Go, team, go!) But I don’t think it always requires so much work. God has planted amazing opportunities and adventures in our lives that we couldn’t even fathom, and if we’re not paying attention, we might miss those wonderful gifts from our Father. Color Guard is only one example for me.

Before you go looking to “find” yourself, try looking around you: God may have randomly decided to reveal to you His plan, and you don’t want to miss out!

Your Laughing Sister,

Callahan

Check out the CHANGE and PERSONALITY quotes pages for more inspiration!