We expect a can labeled beans to have beans in it, and although we know that what’s inside will not mirror the image of the serving suggestion, we buy it anyway, because we need what’s inside. What would happen if we took the labels off? Would you buy it based on someone’s promise that beans are inside? Would you need to see proof of what’s inside? Labels serve a great purpose and add value when buying a can of corn or a box of stuffing, but what about the labels we put on each other and our selves? What purpose do they serve?
Over time some of us have allowed our environments, life’s circumstances, and failures to place labels on us, and decrease our value and worth. It’s been done to children, and adults alike. At first we might fight it, but we hear some labels so often, that slowly but surely we begin to believe that we are the very things that we once disagreed with. That instead of beans, there must be corn inside, because everyone says so. We begin to consider, maybe they were right. We take on the mannerisms and become that thing.
What about the people we’ve met and were told by others, not to trust because she’s a liar, or he’s a thief, or she’s so lazy. The next time we encounter that person we see, liar, thief, lazy, and never give them a chance to prove otherwise. When we do this to others we give them permission to be these things, instead of the hope to be better. When we hear negative things like you are ugly, nasty, mean, stupid, broke, useless, hopeless, a fool, can’t be loved, a small seed is planted. In times of doubt, those seeds begin to sprout and take root, and before you know it, you believe it too. Once you let those thoughts take root, do you even know who you really are anymore?
Without a label God found value in us all. Before we could even walk, speak, read, or write, God validated us and placed his stamp of approval over our lives. In Jeremiah 1:5 God says, "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, And before you were born I consecrated you; I have appointed you a prophet to the nations." Somewhere along the way we forgot and began to believe the lies. Today I want you to begin to see the good in others and yourself as God sees the good in each of us.
We have the potential to be great, and fulfill our purpose but first we need to take the labels off, respect each other, and respect ourselves. With a little hard work we can prove to others and ourselves that we are not the negative things that were spoken about us. At the end of the day, it’s not even about what people think, but that God is pleased with our attitudes, character and behavior. So let’s do what’s pleasing to God, worship him with our actions, and take the labels off.
Soul Searching:
What negative things have you believed about yourself?
Who have you placed labels on, knowingly or unknowingly?
Find 5 positive things to say about yourself, that you believe or would like to change.