Playing Your Part

Some time ago, I wrote about the importance of identity and possessing a sense of belonging. Recent experiences with the COVID 19 pandemic have left a lot of people yearning for this sense of belonging, and an understanding of what part they are to play in their community.

Playing part to something greater connects us to our immediate environment, giving us purpose, motivation, health, and happiness. But for many of us, finding out exactly what part we are to play can prove a significant undertaking.

Some of us may feel naturally drawn down a certain path, while others might struggle and walk many paths. Some of us will know with a certainty what direction they are headed, while others might wander in apparent aimlessness. There is no one way to discover your role, and there really is no right way to play your part.

YOUR PART

So what part are you to play? 

In his 2019 General Conference address, Elder Hans T. Boom gave some insight into how we might discover the role we ought to be playing:

“If you are wondering about your part, I would like to invite you to find a place where you can be alone and ask Heavenly Father to make known to you which part to play. The answer will probably come gradually and then more clearly when we have set our feet more firmly on the covenant and ministering path.”

In answer to our prayers for direction, God may suggest or whisper which parts we might successfully play, but ultimately He gives us power and responsibility identify our part, and then apply our unique talents and abilities towards playing that part. That being said, I believe we have some concrete methods of discovering which parts we should play, and which ones we should avoid.

Elder Boom offers more insight:

What is the way? The way is to help each other understand who we are by ministering to each other…ministering is exercising divine love.

To me, ministering is exercising divine love. In that way we create an environment where both the giver and the receiver obtain a desire to repent. In other words, we change direction and come closer to and become more like our Savior, Jesus Christ.

Love might be the one great indicator that we are playing the right part. If you wonder whether a part might be right for you, the answer might be found in the consideration of the following questions:

- Does this role provide me opportunities to love others?

- Does it allow me to feel love from others? From God?

- Does it increase my capacity to love?

[In exercising divine love]... we create an environment where both the giver and the receiver obtain a desire to repent. In other words, we change direction and come closer to and become more like our Savior, Jesus Christ.

... It is in creating this environment of love that they (and we) will be empowered to make the necessary changes in [our] lives and become better people.

When ministering to a fledgling church after the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ, the apostles of the early church inherited a unique challenge to organize, maintain, and preside over a nascent and growing church. Much of what the apostles dealt with was the question of what roles needed filled and who should fill them. In his letter to the Ephesians, the apostle Paul gives us another hint that might help us recognize if the part we play is right for us:

And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;

For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:

Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:

That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;

But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ;

From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacated by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.

(Ephesians 4:11-16)

What does Paul have to say about everyone playing their part?

- There are many roles to fill; many parts to play.

- Though each may be different, they all serve to edify and uplift.

- Playing your part creates an environment of unity, peace, harmony, and security.

- With everyone playing their part, communities will become self-sufficient and self-reliant.

If you experience often the feelings of peace, self-reliance, confidence, love, and harmony, chances are you playing an important part and having a positive influence in your immediate environment. Chances are you are playing your part.

On the contrary, if chaos and confusion accompany you day after day, you have some work to do. You might not be in the right role. You might be in the right role, but your efforts to carry out that role are lackadaisical or pedestrian. You might be willfully declining to take on any role, choosing instead to play the part of lazy spectator or poisonous critic. One thing you can know for certain, is that if you don't take the necessary steps to repent and join the chorus, you will miss out on the incredible blessings that come with serving, edifying, and ministering to others.

The show must go on, with or without you.

NO SMALL PARTS

We need all instruments. Some of us learn easily and do very well in school, while others have artistic talents. Some design and build things or nurse, protect, or teach others. We are all needed to bring color and meaning to this world.

We often like to think that the world revolves around the Captain America's and Luke Skywalker's of the world. We reserve the highest degrees of glory, adulation, and honor for the protagonist who can deal the finishing blow, or make the final shot. What we forget, is that the main story never unfolds in a vacuum. A single character never propels the story forward alone. In fact, when looking closer at the heroic accounts and nail-biting narratives, we find that many of those special moments of emotional victory only happen because of the sacrifice, the diligence, and the heroism of the unsung character.

Frodo does not save Middle-Earth without the help of an unrenowned gardener and friend, Samwise Gamgee.

Peter Quill does not become an esteemed and charming galactic guardian without the paternal guidance and protection of a scoundrel, Yondu Udonta.

Bruce Wayne does not effectively don the cowl and cape of the Batman without the dedicated support and loyalty of his butler, Alfred Pennyworth.

The heroic accounts may revolve around the protagonist, but the victorious outcome of the story always hinges on those whose presence remains unheralded, unappreciated, and often unnoticed.

While you may be the protagonist of your story, it would be wise to remember that your story is not necessarily the main story. You should not shy away from playing a part in other stories where you can have a positive impact, even if that means you don't take center stage. Your impact in an auxiliary role might be far more important in a bigger story than your larger role in a smaller story.

In the biblical record, no character seems to exemplify the importance of the smaller role than Jonathan.

The first book of Samuel introduces us to Jonathan in the midst of a great conflict between the Philistines and the Israelites. We learn that Jonathan is the son of Saul, Israel's first king. In our first look at Jonathon, we see him heroically (if not irrationally) taking the bitter fight directly to the Philistines. Accompanied by his shield bearer, he scales the walls of an intimidating garrison, slaughters a handful of unsuspecting Philistines, and leads his small band of soldier to a decisive victory over a humiliated Philistine army.

Being next in line for the throne, Jonathan seemed poised to rule over a people that loved him and with the blessing of a God that favored him. So few people get the chance to play a role so special and so coveted. How many of us would balk at that the chance to be king? But this is what makes Jonathan so special. Jonathan doesn't simply balk (balking is not in his character). Jonathan rejects the kingly role outright.

Around this time, we are also introduced to one of the Bible's most prolific and revered heroes, David. Fresh from the shepherds fields, David defends the fledgling Israelite Kingdom from the Philistine armies. David defeats Goliath, wins impossible victory after impossible victory, and gains immense popularity among the Israelites. Samuel the prophet even anoints David as king, sealing his fate and putting him on a collision course with Jonathon and his familial claim to the throne. The stage is set for an intense and bloody power struggle.

How does Jonathan respond?

The soul of Jonathan was knit with the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul. Jonathan makes a covenant with David, because he loved him as his own soul. (1 Samuel 18:1,3)

When encouraged to kill David for political gain, Jonathan refuses. He defends David. (1 Samuel 19:1-7)

For a second time, Jonathan renews his covenant with David, favoring loyalty, peace, and friendship over personal gain and royal fame.(1 Samuel 20)

When David finds himself burdened and troubled, Jonathan offers comfort and aid. Then he does it again... and again. (1 Samuel 23:16-18)

From the Biblical record, we begin to see and appreciate just how special Jonathan is. We see what separates a man of Jonathan's character from lesser men. Jonathan understands his role. Jonathan accepts his role. Jonathan plays his role with dignity, efficacy, and to profound effect. In the end, there is no David without Jonathan.

On the surface, we might judge that Jonathan is taking a lesser role; that he appears comfortable taking a back seat. But I don't think that is in Jonathan's nature. He is still the same man who storms the Philistine garrison with reckless abandon. He is still the same man who leads armies into battle. There is no doubt in my mind that Jonathan would have continued to play a significant role in Israelite history, even if it was in the shadow of the great King David. 

For Jonathan, there were no small parts in the greater story that was unfolding before him. Jonathan exemplifies selflessness and the ability to envision things greater than himself. He showed us that our duty to accomplish or succeed is the same whether we are in or out of the spotlight. 

Jonathan teaches us another important lesson on playing our part well. Some parts we get to choose, while other roles are thrust upon us without warning. Some parents become single parents. Some husbands and wives become widowers and widows. Some princes don't become kings. We don't always choose the roles required of us. However, the way we approach our roles and play our parts is entirely up to us.

The Lord expects us to use our uniqueness and our autonomy to "act well thy part ... what e'er thou art."

Like Jonathan, we can learn to accept and carry out the roles given to us, regardless of how socially, economically, or spiritually undesirable they may be. "Remember:" warned Russian theater practitioner Konstantin Stanslavski, "there are no small parts, only small actors."

ONLY SMALL ACTORS

The example of Jonathan shows us the impact of a great man or woman can have, even in roles we might deem small parts. In contrast, the example of Saul shows us the negative impact of lesser men and women who misuse or misunderstand their role.

Saul is the other significant character in the history of David's ascension to the Israelite throne. Samuel first anoints Saul to be king over the Israelites. The scriptures introduce Saul as "a choice young man". We are told "there was not among the children of Israel a goodlier person than he: from his shoulders and upward he was higher than any of the people."

Samuel feels impressed by the Lord to anoint Saul to be king, and on the surface the decision seems to be a rational one. Saul is from the warrior tribe of Benjamin. He is kingly in appearance. More importantly, God informs Samuel that Saul is His choice.

Very soon, however, we begin to see that Saul does not possess the same understanding and discernment possessed by Jonathan. In fact, from the very beginning, Saul struggles to understand his role as king, and disregards the importance of others' roles:

Saul is chastised for assuming priesthood roles reserved for the prophet Samuel (1 Samuel 12:9-13)

Saul fails to dutifully play his military role, sparing the lives of Agag and disobeying God's commandments. (1 Samuel 15:32-33) *In perhaps one of the more astonishing teaching moments of the Old Testament, the aged Samuel takes matters into his own hands and hacks Agag to pieces right in front of Saul.*

Saul gets jealous over David's military success, a role Saul himself delegated to David time and time again. (1 Samuel 18:5-9)

Saul displays increasing fear, anxiety, and paranoia over David and others, showing that he lacks confidence in his role as king of Israel (1 Samuel 18:12-15)

In stark contrast to his son Jonathan, King Saul shows that lesser men who are asked to play a part of greatness seldom rise to the occasion. The mantle doesn't make the man or woman. This is important to remember when, to your complete bewilderment, you eventually discover that insignificant men and women are sometimes placed into significant roles.

Before we judge Saul too harshly, I think we best recognize some patterns here, and take an honest look at how we might be guilty of some similar sins.

Do you faithfully execute the duties and responsibilities assigned to you? Or do you instead covet the power and popularity of someone else and the role that they have?

Do you have confidence in your current role and trust that you're making a difference? Or do you guard your position jealously; using and manipulating people around you to protect your power or influence?

Do you recognize your shortcomings and seek to improve your performance within the role entrusted to you? Or do you look outside yourself to blame others, focusing on the way others are playing their part?

While no one wishfully compares themselves to the disastrous King Saul, we should posses enough self-awareness that we have to potential to fall into the same patterns of weakness. It should be worth noting that the only thing likely keeping us from matching Saul's degree of damage and destruction is the fact that we are not asked to play the part of king or ruler.

The great tragedy of King Saul was not that he was imperfect, or that he experienced failure. The real tragedy was that he was incapable of understanding his role as king, and respecting the roles that others were playing around him. The reign of King Saul might have been very different if he had focused on his part, while simultaneously respecting the parts played by Samuel, Jonathan, David, and God.

CHANGING PARTS

Lest you believe that I am advocating for complacency or satisfaction with your current status, you should not be under any impression that ambitions or aspirations are wicked or useless. The Lord expects that we aim for lofty achievements. He expects that we pursue bigger and better things. However, we should not pursue a grandiose future position at the expense of an efficacious attitude towards our current position.

As you pass through life, circumstances constantly change, and life will require you to play different parts to meet different challenges. Sons become men. Men become husbands. Wives become mothers. Gardeners become warriors, and warriors become gardeners. You should expect that life will require changes from you.

Helaman became a prominent military figure, but only after he had served in the capacity as a prophet.

Peter became a fearless ecclesiastical leader, but only after he had followed and witnessed Christ's earthly ministry.

Even Christ needed a period of growth and development prior to fulfilling his divinely appointed role as Savior and Redeemer of the world.

Some roles are preparatory; serving to qualify us for bigger more important roles in the future. In preparing to become husbands or fathers, we should be engaged in roles that allow us to develop kindness, discernment, and righteous dominion. For example, men should play those parts that build them into fatherly figures, and women should play those parts that build them into motherly figures. For those that learn to excel at playing the part of an uncle, aunt, role model, or mentor, these stand a better chance of succeeding in those grander roles that await them in the future.

Thought our parts may change, our purpose remains the same:

...to help each other understand who we are by ministering to each other…

In the end, we are to love, uplift, and edify one another. For this reason, we ought to seriously consider what parts we play in our family and our community. We should consider the impact we are having in our immediate environment. If anything seems out of harmony, we must either consider a change of course, or a change of attitude towards the parts we have been asked to play.