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We live in a Society that loves labels. By definition, a label provides information, or some clue, as to what is being labeled. We label our food so that we know the can we are about to purchase is Green Beans and not Black-eyed Peas, or that we’ve purchased Vanilla Wafers and not Chocolate Chip Cookies. Labels not only contain the name of what you’re possibly buying, but oftentimes contain much needed information such as nutritional facts. After all, I need to know how many calories are contained in the cookies I am about to enjoy so I know how many extra miles to walk on the treadmill. Labels even tell us what size clothes are on the rack so that we make sure we buy what fits. Labels are everywhere we look and we can’t avoid them.

Unfortunately, labels can be deadly weapons in the wrong hands. We’ve all heard stories about medicines that weren’t labeled correctly or had improper warnings. We can probably all think of a child we knew in school that was not considered “athletic” or was not considered “cool” and was labeled. We all know someone who is overweight and is labeled. We all know someone who is shy and is labeled. Labels are even assigned to those with a certain accent, as with my Southern accent, usually in a negative manner. You can even be labeled based on your income level or your education level or by the job you have. Let’s admit it, we tend to look down on the Fast Food employee and look up to the Physician. We even label others based on the car they drive or how large their home is. I’m sure you can think of many more examples or perhaps have even been a victim of being labeled yourself.

My point is that labels based on fact provide needed information. Labels based on opinion; incomplete information, bias; or simple differences among people take on a new identity. At that point, labels become judgemental and are like a sharp knife cutting and slashing anything in it’s path. Facts don’t matter to the labeler. Reasonableness and Common Sense don’t matter to the labeler. Nothing avoids the wrath of the label in the wrong hands.

As a Christian, I can’t honestly say that I’ve always stayed away from labeling others. I’ve been guilty of saying harsh things many times and sometimes wish I could take my words back; unfortunately, you can’t put the toothpaste back in the tube. If you’ve been guilty of labeling others, I can tell you that you’ll cause more harm to yourself than to the ones you’re trying to label. If you’ve been a victim of labeling, never forget that you are a special creation in God’s eyes. We’ve all been given a unique set of gifts and talents that God will encourage you to use in a mighty way. No one of us is better than another in God’s eyes. The person the World saw as a Shepherd, God saw as a King. The person the World saw as a carpenter, God saw as a Savior.

God doesn’t have any use for labels and neither should we. Just because the World may label us or someone else, doesn’t mean we have to join in.

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I spend a lot of time in my car. Unfortunately, my commute to work each day is about 80 miles round trip. In some ways, I enjoy the commute. It allows me time to gear up for my day at work, or gear down on my way home in the evenings. It also gives me some time to myself to think about the topic for the day, whatever that might be. In other ways, I dislike the commute. The wear and tear on my car is great. The aggravation of traffic is unbearable some days. However, the bottom line is I try to make the most of my particular commuting challenges.

During one of my commutes the other day I was noticing how many different types of cars there were on the road, most with only one driver. As I traveled down the miles of Interstate, I saw sports cars and pick-up trucks. I saw motorcycles and tractor-trailers. I saw new cars just off the showroom floor and an old clunker just hoping to make it to the next exit. Each car had a different style and different look. I wondered where they all might be driving? I suspect most were going to work; others maybe on vacation; and others to see family or friends.

After about an hour of driving, I finally arrived at my office. The parking lot was full, as usual, of cars of different styles, colors, shapes, and sizes. It suddenly became obvious to me that each of the vehicles represented a different person, coming from different locations, in a different style vehicle, but all to the same destination—-our office. Despite all the differences, there was one common denominator and that was our place of employment. Once every employee was in the building and began working, it really didn’t matter how they got there. The distance they traveled or the color of their vehicle, or even the route they took, made no difference. The point was that they were there and all working together to make our jobs easier.

How refreshing it is to remind ourselves occasionally that our relationship with Christ is no different. We all come from different backgrounds. We all have different “vehicles” when describing our God-given strengths and weaknesses. Some of us might be outgoing; others shy. Some of us might be great at organizing; others unorganized. Some of us might be compassionate; others less so. Some of us might love the Arts; others the great Outdoors. The style of our “vehicle” doesn’t matter to God.

We also all come from different “routes.” Some of us come from broken homes; others have great families. Others have more formal education; others learn from life itself. Some of us have overcome great adversity; others have yet to face a lot of adversity.

The type of “vehicle” we use in life or the “route” we take in life, to this point, doesn’t matter to God, as long as we arrive at the same location—-the Foot of the Cross.

Where do you see yourself today? If you feel like you’re not worthy to be accepted by Christ, or that you’ve taken the wrong path to follow Christ—-you’re mistaken. Christ will accept you no matter who you are or what you’ve done. All you have to do is ask and believe.

Avoid Being the Label Maker

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