AS I See Them--Adolescents

As I See Them-Adolescents

Teens have no talents, so they think. Many believe that they are dumb and have no future. Of course, this is not true. God did not create dumb, incompetent dumb people! So, first of all, you are an amazing piece of creation. (read Ps. 139) Don’t deny it!

Secondly, if your brain swirls with negative feelings about yourself you are as normal as any teen. This is one  of the toughest periods in your life and you will get through it because you are tough.  Stubbornness can help here. You are at a crossroads between childhood to adulthood and it’s a gigantic leap. You want the privileges of an adult but haven’t yet mastered the emotional and intellectual skills to cross that bridge. What skills, you ask?

Adults (ideally) are mature, responsible, keep their word and set unselfish priorities about what is most important in life. They fulfill their tasks as parents to train their children to be upright and do so with loving correction and sometimes punishments that seem unfair to a teen. Parents must feed, clothe, instruct and model respect and good manners.

Teens do these things at times but without the consistency that adulthood requires. Outside the home many teens are a model of good behavior but at home they may still may indulge in tantrums and defiance like a two year old and then get upset when told to act your age. And you do—sometimes.

There is a restlessness in teens that they can’t put into words. Your body is flooded with hormones that are bursting with wants and desires that are very  complicated to navigate through. One minute you’re moody and irritable and then you’re as silly as a little kid. Talking with peers is easy, they get it. Maybe a coach or teacher ‘gets you’ but it’s much tougher to talk with parents about what really is going on. They were teens themselves, once upon a time and probably did dumb things or blew an opportunity to date that special person.

TRUE STORY: Greg had been dying to ask this popular girl to the school dance, but was so afraid that she would refuse him because he wasn’t rich or super athletic. So, he kept putting it off. Finally, he asked, she accepted, and he was deliriously happy and excited. The night of the dance he was really nervous and trembling but eventually pulled himself together and set off. Arriving at the dance he realized that he hadn’t picked her up. He had been dropped off by Mom and had no way to go back to get her!

In the morning, he bought flowers and went to apologize. Her Dad was furious and screamed at him to go away and stay away. That was 70 years ago, and he still regrets how he hurt her.

God has put in all of us the talents we will need to fulfill the purpose for which he made us. Your life has a purpose for you to fulfill to make His kingdom come. Because God made us we belong to him and should work hard to do HIS will before our own. You think that will make you unhappy. You think it’s not fair because you think you can’t do what you want to do. Doing God’s will,  will never disappoint you.

But how can I know my talents? I’m not likely to win any medals or succeed on American Idol. Teens frequently moan that they have no talents. Well, here is a simple way to identify your talents. First ask yourself, what gives me great joy? Secondly, when doing that thing do you lose track of time. That’s it. What do you love and never want to stop doing? Now make a list of eight to ten things that match this criteria. These are your talents. Nurture them. Eventually they will blend together to open a career path that will be in line with what God gave you those talents for.

These few things will lead to the mission God hopes you will accept. The other talents are still there for your fun and happiness, maybe as a hobby.

For example, if you love the water, boating, diving, exploring, collecting specimens and discovering the underwater world. You might later choose marine biology, science, teaching or research.

Every stage of life has unique phases of learning and responsibility. You are at a critical juncture. It’s important to understand what is important in life, what kind of person you want to become and what kind of work you may be good at so that you can responsibly begin to move in the right direction by the choices you make daily.

The type of person you become is far more important than any other achievement. Take the time to reflect on your good traits and the ugly ones. Make choices that will help you to become a better version of yourself.

How will these traits help or hinder you in the future? Will they help you when you face God at the end of your life? If you want to remain a braggart, a bore or a bully, you most likely won’t get too far in life professionally or socially. But if you’re cheerful, kind and respectful to others, offer a helping hand, you’re on the road to becoming the best version of yourself. That’s the goal, everyone’s goal. Some work toward it and some procrastinate and give up. Who will you become?