It's been a constant struggle with my athletic career to identify myself as a child of God and understand that His love is unconditional for us; it's not conditional like fans, or coaches, or even myself.
Interpretation
The quote expresses the challenge of recognizing one's worth through divine love rather than external validation.
In this quote, Benjamin Watson reflects on his journey as an athlete, highlighting the struggle to maintain a sense of identity rooted in faith and divine love rather than the often conditional support from fans, coaches, or even personal achievement. He emphasizes that God's love is unwavering and unconditional, contrasting it with the fluctuating affections and expectations found in the competitive world of sports. This realization brings a deeper understanding of self-worth that transcends the pressures of an athletic career.
In practice
In a speech about overcoming challenges, one might reflect on their journey similar to Watson's.
We all have the same problem as human beings. And it's something that we are born with, and we just see it manifest in different ways. And in this situation, it's racial. It's brutality. It's people breaking the law. It's the smoke, but the underlying fire is something that we all have to deal with, and that's our sin.
We need to look at truth. We need to look at justice, and we need to look at righteousness. And let that be our guide going forward.
By deciding to live our lives based on solid values and unwavering truth, we can leave a legacy for the young men and boys who want nothing more than to follow in our footsteps.
Sometimes, we feel like we don't want to offend people, but there are times that we need to express ourselves without fear that somebody is going to shut us down simply because we have differing opinions. That's how we grow.
I think, as athletes, we've been given a platform, and we can use it in a lot of different ways. We can use it for negative. We can use it for positive. We can be indifferent. But if you've been given a platform, I think God is pleased when you share... His truth in love.
There shouldn't be any looting or anything like that. But we're seeing a lot of frustration, and nobody knows the answer. All of us are saying we need an answer, and what I'm saying is we need, all of us, a heart change so, as America, we can move forward.
It is seldom we have the heart to throw ourselves, if I may so speak, on the Divine Arm; we dare not trust ourselves on the waters, though Christ bids us. We have not St. Peter's love to ask leave to come to him upon the sea. When we once are filled with that heavenly charity, we can do all things, because we attempt all things - for to attempt is to do.
God has proven himself as a faithful father. Now it falls to us to be trusting children.
Perhaps only when human effort had done it's best and failed, would God's power alone be free to work.
Never put a lid on God. You can give God a thimble and ask for a quart. It won't work. Your plans, your projects, your dreams have to always be bigger than you, so God has room to operate. I want you to get good ideas, crazy ideas, extravagant ideas. Nothing is too much for The Lord to do - accent on 'The Lord'.
It is the heart that is not sure of its God that is afraid to laugh in His presence.
I am grateful that early in my life I was blessed with a simple faith that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God, that he saw God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, in a vision. He translated the Book of Mormon by the gift and power of God. That testimony has been confirmed to me over and over again.
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