What Label Do You Wear?

Our world today is full of labels. Labels on the clothes we wear (designer or not); labels on the food we eat (fat-free, sugar-free, organic); and labels on the cars we drive ("sporty," "mommy-van," "green"). We even have labels for each other: Tall, short, fat, thin, cool, nerd, friendly, hermit, lazy, workaholic, etc. Sometimes the labels are complimentary, such as "she's such a caring person." Most of the time, however, the labels are negative.

The negative "label" can come from anywhere. Sometimes it's society or the media that defines and places the labels. While this, in itself, can be a bad thing, I believe it is far less harmful than the "label" that is given to us by a loved one or given to us, by ourselves. It's a lot easier to "shake off" a label given by someone who doesn't know and love us, than it is to free ourselves from a negative label given by a loved one. We tend to believe it when a loved one labels us, even if it wasn't true. And worse, it may not have been true, but we might even "grow into it." If you tell a child that he is "worthless," he may grow up thinking he is. We even "label" our own selves with labels like "unloveable," "beyond hope," "ugly," or "not good enough."

The truth is, though, we are not what society, a loved-one, or ourselves label us, we are so much more.

We were created by God to be much more than any earthly label that tries to define us. He created us with specific gifts, talents, and personalities that are unique to us, and no one else. Even identical twins are unique, in their own way. We were created for a greater purpose, to use our unique talents and personalities, to be a blessing and to be blessed. (Read 1 Peter 2:9; Ephesians 1:4-5; Ephesians 2:10; Psalm 139:13-18).

What label(s) are you wearing today? Maybe it's time to remove that label. Maybe it's time to "put on" the label that was made for you by the One who created you. You are so much more than what others, or even, yourself, think. Maybe it's time you choose His label...the Master "Designer's" label. Wear it well, you are one-of-a-kind!