Have you ever gotten an image in your mind of what you thought of someone before you got to know them? Like, placing a label on them without knowing their story? An example might be that you see a women at the store with children and no father walking with them; and you automatically place assumptions over their lives (I won’t list the number of things you could assume). What about placing someone in a category based on another’s reactions. Such as, you’ve come in contact with one “bad” restaurant chain and now all restaurants in that chain are deemed “bad”. These list and scenarios could go on for days but I hope you understand what I mean by now.

I’ve placed assumptions on people and placed people into categories without knowing their stories before. I’m not proud to say that by any means. But if I’m going to openly honest you have to understand that I’m writing this from my experience. Let me tell you about one particular thing I made an assumption on that changed my life. I placed all Christians into the category of hypocrite. It changed my life because placing people into this category automatically placed me in a place of disbelief. I labeled people daily (and not only those who were Christians). I notice now that labeling people got me to a very dark and lonely place and the only way out of that place was death or life. I didn’t want death so I needed to try life.

In order to try life, I would need to start tearing up those labels I placed on people. I began this process by getting to know the same people I placed the labels on. As I got to know people and a little about their stories I realized they weren’t much different than me, but that (Christians particularly) they had something I lacked….. hope.

I realized that fighting the very thing that had me bound was the only way to overcome. I needed to fight against labels, defeat them by defying odds against me. I started there but God started in the beginning. His Grace through my self made slump was beyond what I needed. He used the very people I labeled, to help get me out of a dark place.

Now I have to ask you a question… Have you placed a label on God? See, growing up I had this image of a God who was nothing but wrath, and a God who had to send his son to do his work for him. I had an image of Jesus, the one sent without a choice and had to suffer because God told him to. Then the image of the holy spirit which was demanding people on how to live. I WAS SO WRONG!! The way I found truth was listening to the voice of truth. Digging into the Bible and doing my own research. Then I would test out what I read. In other words, if I read “love your neighbor”; I would try it and see how it worked. I also found by reading for myself who God really is. He honestly is love. He desires a relationship with us, but love isn’t forceful. Instead, love is patient, love is kind, and love is longsuffering.

God sent Jesus as a representation of himself. If you’re a parent you know this is true because you can look at your child and see you in them. While Jesus walked this earth, he was walking in love. Focusing on the rejected and trying to teach those who were/would teach of God.

I say all of this to say, let’s tear the lables and instead stick on love! If you’re afraid of hypocrisy, I would challenge you to start with Jesus. Invite him into your life and just see what happens from there.

Prayer:

God, thank you for your unfailing love. Thank you for life, and a chance to live it in peace. I ask that anyone reading this is able to feel your loving presence right now and I ask for restoration and healing to begin. In Jesus name I pray, amen.