Labels Revisited

       So I said I felt labels were somewhat necessary to describe where we are at certain points as our life. Well after some discussion with friends and reading a few other blogs and reading some scripture I have changed my mind (I think). Funny how you feel strongly about something that you write it and put it out there for the world to see as your take on a topic, only to have that whole thought process changed through further thought and discussion.

      After I wrote the blog I received several texts from a friend of mine that really made me examine my opinion of labels. These texts came from someone that was labeled and the particular label turned their whole life upside down. On top of that it was a label that was not true and should never have been placed on them. As I started thinking more about labels I thought about examples from my life where labels were more of a detriment to myself or the other people that they were placed on, not some type of positive description of their life. I think that I was confusing a label with an adjective. Hard working, caring, moral, etc are things that I was considering labels and maybe I should have looked at these differently.

       Personally I have been labeled negatively at certain points in my life. As I think about those labels, some were true; however I don't think that they were ever a true description of me as a whole. Even when positive labels are placed on us do they truly describe who we are?

       People of the Second Chance had a quote the other day "When focused on being a person of no reputation, labels lose their control over us." Reputation in our society is extremely important. How many times have you heard someone say: "I have heard of/about them" or "your/their reputation precedes you/them?" WOW! So you or I have already been judged before we have even been met? I am not a fan of this idea. I don't want to be judged before we have even had the opportunity to have a conversation and I should not be judging a person before we have even met.

        During the first part of 2011 I was struggling at my job. There was a certain amount of turmoil around my workplace. I remember being extremely concerned about the labels that were being placed on me and the lasting effect that might have on my reputation, my career. Even though I had done nothing but my best, my work and my integrity were in question and this was all playing out in a public arena. These labels that were placed on me did not fit. The labels placed on me did not describe who I was. And as I was looking for another job during this time, even though where I was looking was hours away from my current job these labels followed me (to a certain degree). People were curious as to why I would leave the particular job that I had. They wanted to know what caused me to want to leave or if I was forced to leave and if so why. Not a particular fun situation to be put through.


      I think I have a better understanding of the harm that labels can cause. Jesus dealt with labels just like we do."Therefore some of the Pharisees said, “This Man is not from God, because He does not keep the Sabbath.” Others said, “How can a man who is a sinner do such signs?” And there was a division among them (John 9:16)."  These labels cost Jesus his life, not just a job, not just a reputation; labels can take life away.

       I know this is a topic and a part of life I will continue to struggle with. Placing labels on ourselves and others is culturally ingrained in us. However I definitely see a need in my life to remove label and stop myself from placing them on others.

1 “Do not judge, or you too will be judged. 2 For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.(Matthew 7:1-2)"