Read at Your Own Risk if You are a Genius
Written by Rev. Dr. Scott Paczkowski
“Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, and dignity.”
God has given each one of us unique abilities. Geniuses are extraordinary but not the only way of being beneficial. As a minister, I expect to be faithful, caring, a productive administrator, and a theologian, preacher, and intellectual on various subjects, to remain culturally and ethically relevant. No one can be uniquely qualified in all these areas. It doesn’t keep us from striving to be genius in our field. The problem is that being a genius provides its own set of consequences.
“The Burden of Intelligence: The Many Downsides of Genius,” a Thomas Oppong article, describes “Life struggles only geniuses have in common.” Most of us incorrectly believe that if we could just become a genius, we would be able to fix our lives and be our best selves. Yet, being a genius creates unintended consequences.
“Many iconic geniuses had mental health issues. Beethoven, Charles Dickens, Thomas Jefferson, Isaac Newton, Fyodor Dostoevsky and many more suffered from depression. Mozart and Virginia Woolf struggled with mood swings. Many intelligent minds didn’t have good relationships with even the people they loved.” Brilliant people tend to get bored quickly and often have trouble completing projects. For example, “Leonardo da Vinci left many paintings unfinished.” Tasks often remain undone because geniuses cannot stand mistakes, and no one is perfect, no matter how talented. Their imperfections drive them to distraction.
Many geniuses spend much of their time alone. Being a genius is lonely because few people are intelligent enough to relate to the genius and stimulate this advanced intellectual. Today, offer God a prayer of thanksgiving for the person you are, including your perceived imperfections. Often, being a genius would keep us from performing the tasks necessary to make us good at what we do and who we’ve become. Pray God gives you the confidence and wisdom to embrace yourself without desiring brilliance. What you wish for might be the worst option for your life. Remember, God gives your gifts and abilities to enhance your unique calling!
