Perception is defined as a way of regarding, understanding or interpreting something; a mental impression. What is not present in the definition, and may or may not be common knowledge, is that our perception – or outlook – is not the only one that exists. And more importantly, it isn’t necessarily reality either. Perception is subjective, depending on an individual and their contexts. My point is this – we are in a time that is chaotic, but given what I just said, that, too, is a matter of perception. I said this to say that I’ve observed that there are two statements that have been particularly prevalent on social media in this time period. The first statement that I’ve seen is that people are bored and to that, I will only say that there is too much to do – be it spiritually, physically, mentally – for us to be bored. We have an unprecedented time to do all the things that we’d normally excuse ourselves out of and all the things we have not let ourselves dream of because we believed we had no time. We have nothing but time now. But the second statement or rather, observation is that a lot of people are identifying school and work as defining aspects of their identity. However, at this time, where school and work look a little different, they don’t know what to do and more importantly, who they are now. I’m merely here to say and illustrate that that perception is a matter of opinion and inherently, limited and does not begin to encompass who we are.

Through a friend, I realized that I, too, have been defining myself by the wrong things. My perception of myself is skewed, especially now, when I have all this time to focus on my vices and all the times I’ve fallen short. But just like those of us who feel stalled because our identity rested on the fact that we were students and employees in a way we recognized, I was not seeing the full picture. I was not even seeing the entirety of who I am. I was focused on a perception of myself and ignoring an irrefutable truth. We are students, interns, research assistants, working professionals, and daughters, and sons, and sisters, and so many other roles, and yet, we are so much more. We are greater than the things we do and the people we are connected to. 

First and foremost, we are children of God. We are joint-heirs with Jesus Christ himself*  (Romans 8:17) and wonderfully and fearfully made** (Psalms 139:14). We were created by God himself with love and in love. He created each and every one of us, thus giving us inherent value that is not related to what we do, where we go, and who we know. He created each and every one of us with our own purpose, with our own passions, with features and characteristics unto ourselves and ourselves alone. Each one of us is a snowflake – unique. 

We can focus on the way our lives as students and workers have changed and define ourselves by that. Or we can change our perception, expand our minds and begin to understand who we are outside of our duties. We can begin to understand who God created us to be. Investigating the truth will not only remedy the boredom you may or not be feeling but it will remind some of us and inform others that our value is not in a role. We are valuable simply because we exist.