Finding Your Center

I’ve pondered what I can give to a world that seems to have so many intelligent people and incredible things being created every day. I’ve felt an intense need to contribute something of value to the world, to leave a mark so humanity is better because I was here…I’ve yearned to know what my center is and what purpose I have on the earth.

“Jack, what is your center?” In the movie Rise of the Guardians, Jack Frost is invited to become a guardian of the children of the world, but he feels inadequate and uninterested in the task. He knows the Man in the Moon brought him into being as Jack Frost, but he doesn’t know why. He feels he has nothing in common with the other guardians. North (Santa Clause) explains to Jack that each guardian has a “center”- the core of who they are that brings value to the world. North challenges Jack to find out what his “center” is.

Recently I’ve pondered what I can give to a world that seems to have so many intelligent people and incredible things being created every day. I’ve felt an intense need to contribute something of value to the world, to leave a mark so humanity is better because I was here. I’ve stopped to think, “What are my talents?” and often find myself coming up short. Like Jack, who struggled to know why he came into being in the first place, I’ve yearned to know what my center is and what purpose I have on the earth.

As the movie unfolds, Jack finds himself caught up in the challenges that suddenly face the guardians. Along the way he must constantly make the choice to put his own desires or the needs of those around him first. Each time that Jack focuses on himself and his obsession to discover his identity, things go amiss. But when he focuses on protecting and helping others, the pieces of his life start to fit together until he learns who he is and why he was created. Like Jack, we must learn to lose our lives in the service of others. It’s in that process that we truly find our “center”. The Lord Himself said, “For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it” (Matthew 16:25).

While serving as a missionary, I was overwhelmed by feelings of inadequacy. As an introvert, talking with strangers made me extremely anxious. I saw the confidence and capability of the missionaries around me and felt there was no way I would ever be able to help others like they did. I yearned to cloister myself in my apartment for a month to study hard, pray fervently, and practice becoming a better missionary. My doubts and concerns hung over me and impeded my ability to find joy. Over time, I began to experience a deep love for the people I met, which fueled my desire to help them. By the end of my mission, my heart, talents, and confidence had grown as I lost myself in service.

It’s important to remember that losing ourselves in the service of others does not mean running faster than we have strength. There are times that we need to rest and refill our spirits. Take time to do the things you love to do and fill your soul with joy! Doing so allows us to have more energy and enthusiasm to lift others. It also allows us to develop our talents and increase our knowledge so we are better equipped to serve.

Throughout this quest, Jack meets opposition in the form of the Boogey Man (Pitch), who tries to cause Jack to question his pursuit and give in to his doubts. Pitch is miserable because he feeds off fear and selfishness and wants company in his unhappiness. Ultimately, Jack learns that goodness and belief are far stronger than fear and evil. When Jack is about to give up, The Man in the Moon reminds him of his unique worth and this gives Jack the strength to keep fighting.

The adversary knows that you are divine, that you have the capacity to bless the world because of who you are. He wants you to be discouraged, to question your worth, to doubt your ability to serve. But God, too, is constantly aware of you and though your path to finding yourself may leave you bruised and hurting, He will always heal you and reveal His wisdom if you are patient. “But behold, the life of my servant shall be in my hand; therefore they shall not hurt him, although he shall be marred because of them. Yet I will heal him, for I will show unto them that my wisdom is greater than the cunning of the devil” (3 Nephi 21:10).

In the process of moving forward and facing each new trial, Jack discovers why he is special and why the Man in the Moon brought him into being. Looking at my life, I believe that as we face each challenge and put our trust in God who knows our potential, we will slowly discover what makes us unique- our “center”- and the special contribution we can make to the world.

Through years of struggling with the desire to feel valuable, the Lord has revealed gifts and talents I didn’t know I had and these have filled me with rich purpose and joy. I have learned that it’s alright to feel lost at times as long as we don’t give up, be patient, and pray fervently for the Lord to show us why we are here. In my case, everything has been a matter of timing for the right opportunities to come. God is there all along, but the path must be laid, patiently, one piece at a time. I believe the same holds true for your life. Be patient, find joy as you lose yourself in the service of others, and let the Lord lead you to your center!

Invitation: Start your day by asking God, “What is my purpose today?” Ponder who He wants you to serve, what tasks are most important, and what joy He wants you to find that day. While we may have an overarching mission to our life, most importantly we have the daily mission to find joy in the journey.

Please share your thoughts or experience below! We would love to hear from you!

 

Photo by A. L. on Unsplash