Who You Really Are
Who You Really Are
By Kathy Penrod
There are over 7 billion people in this world. With so many people on the earth, and with a universe so vast, it is easy to wonder if you even matter. It is easy to feel small, insignificant, and unimportant. When you begin to wonder why you are here and what your purpose is on earth, you can remember this beautiful truth.
You are a child of God.
In Acts 17:28 it says, “For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring.”
That means we are literal children of God. Whoever we are on earth, we have one identity that matters more than any other. That is our divine identity.
Elder Boyd K. Packer taught,
“You are a child of God. He is the father of your spirit. Spiritually you are of noble birth, the offspring of the King of Heaven. Fix that truth in your mind and hold to it. However many generations in your mortal ancestry, no matter what race or people you represent, the pedigree of your spirit can be written on a single line. You are a child of God!”
But, you may wonder, how can He care about me when there are so many others to divide His attention? God knows you infinitely and completely. To Heavenly Father, we are not too many people. It is not hard for Him to know the individual needs and desires of our hearts. Satan tries to convince us that we are too insignificant to be loved. That we are worthless. That we don’t matter. But those are only lies. You truly matter to Heavenly Father.
Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf says,
“It may be true that man is nothing in comparison to the greatness of the universe. At times we may even feel insignificant, invisible, alone, or forgotten. But always remember—you matter to Him!”
Perhaps, though, you feel unworthy of His love. Maybe you have made choices you know would displease God. Satan would have you believe you are not worthy of God’s love. But the truth is that God’s love is perfect. He loves us even when we sin and drift away from Him. His love is constant.
Elder Jeffrey R. Holland teaches,
“The first great commandment of all eternity is to love God with all of our heart, might, mind, and strength—that’s the first great commandment. But the first great truth of all eternity is that God loves us with all of His heart, might, mind, and strength.”
Our Heavenly Father is a tender parent who freely shares His love with us. Evidence is all around us. This beautiful world was created for us. This universe was created for us. He sent His only begotten son – His firstborn – to atone for our sins so we could return to Him. He knows life will be hard. He knows we will struggle. But that is another reason He sent Jesus Christ to earth, so He could show us the way back to our loving Heavenly Father. If you struggle to feel that love, if you wonder if this is true, follow the promise in Moroni 7:48 which says, “pray unto the Father with all the energy of heart, that ye may be filled with this love, which he hath bestowed upon all who are true followers of his Son, Jesus Christ.”
Trust in the words of the scriptures, prophets and apostles that proclaim we are offspring of a loving Heavenly Father. Trust that you are loved, despite your weaknesses. Remember your true identity is divine and eternal. You are a child of God.
