I think I may have finally found the word that describes a frustration I’ve had for a long time but have been unable to pinpoint. I began noticing it back in high school when all these T-shirts were in style that had one word across the front. It wasn’t always the same word, but it was a label of the person wearing it. They could say “Flirt,” “Sweet,” or “Grumpy,” and so on and so forth. I had no desire to buy or wear one of these shirts because I knew one word printed for the masses could not describe me, nor did I have a desire to label myself with any of these words.
I don’t like to be labeled.
I don’t like to assume that any person can be accurately described in one word.
We have all been mislabeled.
I’m sure I’m not the only one who has met someone and immediately put them in some sort of category. I wonder what kind of categories other people have put me in. It is helpful to have some kind of mental categorizing system to help us sort things out, but we are all so complex! How can we just assume that a simple word or category can define us?
We’re not just trying to figure out others. We try to figure ourselves out. There is such a plethora of quizzes people take to try to define themselves. What flavor ice cream are you? What kind of rock are you? What era should you have been born in? Which Disney princess are you? What is your ninja name? What is your calling? On and on and on. I’ll admit some of the quizzes are fun to take, but none of them are revealing in any pertinent way. You either agree or disagree with the results. If you agree, then its telling you something you already know, so why did you need to take the quiz? And if you disagree, you choose not to let the result affect you because you are sure that it is incorrect. Yet people keep writing these quizzes and people keep taking them, keeping on in the search to learn more about themselves and how they can relate to the world around them.
We are always seeking, searching, defining, redefining. But we are all mislabeled. We can not be defined by mere words.
It does me no good to know what kind of precious metal or Avengers character I am. So what am I? Who am I? What am I here for?
People seem to always be searching for the meaning and purpose of life. People of faith especially want to know what their gifts are and what their specific assignment or calling is here on this earth. These things are extremely important and I would like to encourage and cheer on every person who is seeking after these things. Life is meant to be lived on purpose, and we have all been given gifts to be used in specific ways while we are here. But don’t let life pass you by in the midst of seeking your calling or purpose. You can’t just hit the pause button while you try to figure things out!
Chances are, whether you realize it or not, you are already doing what you are called to do.
The things that you are good at and the things that interest you (as long as they are not contradictory to God’s Word, the absolute authority) ARE your calling! Who do you think put those gifts interests there? I will encourage you to GROW in these areas, not to try and find something bigger and better.
The bigger and better is already inside of you! Grow where you’re planted, and God will work all things together for good if you are keeping Him first. Someday, we’ll all get to take a look back at our lives and see the absolute beauty of a faith filled life.
I don’t like to be labeled.
I don’t like to assume that any person can be accurately described in one word.
We have all been mislabeled.
I’m sure I’m not the only one who has met someone and immediately put them in some sort of category. I wonder what kind of categories other people have put me in. It is helpful to have some kind of mental categorizing system to help us sort things out, but we are all so complex! How can we just assume that a simple word or category can define us?
We’re not just trying to figure out others. We try to figure ourselves out. There is such a plethora of quizzes people take to try to define themselves. What flavor ice cream are you? What kind of rock are you? What era should you have been born in? Which Disney princess are you? What is your ninja name? What is your calling? On and on and on. I’ll admit some of the quizzes are fun to take, but none of them are revealing in any pertinent way. You either agree or disagree with the results. If you agree, then its telling you something you already know, so why did you need to take the quiz? And if you disagree, you choose not to let the result affect you because you are sure that it is incorrect. Yet people keep writing these quizzes and people keep taking them, keeping on in the search to learn more about themselves and how they can relate to the world around them.
We are always seeking, searching, defining, redefining. But we are all mislabeled. We can not be defined by mere words.
It does me no good to know what kind of precious metal or Avengers character I am. So what am I? Who am I? What am I here for?
People seem to always be searching for the meaning and purpose of life. People of faith especially want to know what their gifts are and what their specific assignment or calling is here on this earth. These things are extremely important and I would like to encourage and cheer on every person who is seeking after these things. Life is meant to be lived on purpose, and we have all been given gifts to be used in specific ways while we are here. But don’t let life pass you by in the midst of seeking your calling or purpose. You can’t just hit the pause button while you try to figure things out!
Chances are, whether you realize it or not, you are already doing what you are called to do.
The things that you are good at and the things that interest you (as long as they are not contradictory to God’s Word, the absolute authority) ARE your calling! Who do you think put those gifts interests there? I will encourage you to GROW in these areas, not to try and find something bigger and better.
The bigger and better is already inside of you! Grow where you’re planted, and God will work all things together for good if you are keeping Him first. Someday, we’ll all get to take a look back at our lives and see the absolute beauty of a faith filled life.
So, forget about those categories you may have put yourself or others in. God is the one who knows who you are and what you can do. Psalm 139 says He knows you so well He knows what you’re going to say before you say it, and He pays such close attention to you that He knows when you stand up and sit down. You are a big deal to Him. Let Him be the one to tell you who you are! I am God’s workmanship, created in Christ unto good works. (Ephesians 2:10) I am a new creature in Christ. (2 Corinthians 5:17) And there’s a lot more where that came from! Read it here. |