Labels

I think labels are interesting. In our society, we are so quick to assign labels to people: are you African-American or Caucasian; male or female; married, single or divorced? As part of many of the training classes that I facilitate, participants take self-assessments in order to discover their strengths or traits. There can be real value to labels. It can bring opportunities for discussion and self-awareness. But there is a danger to labels as well. Especially if we start to see people as ENFPs, or 39 year-old, white, mother of two instead of Catherine. To take it a step further, if we expect people to act in certain ways BECAUSE of the labels we assign instead of allowing them to just be themselves.

In Galatians 3:28 Paul writes this:

There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male or female; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus.

Powerful words. One of the challenges that Paul faced during his mission trips was labeling of one group from another. Because of these labels, people were judged either more or less worthy. Eloquently, Paul reminds us that there is only one label that matters - child of God.

Recently, I have been reminded just how easy it is for labels to become more important than the person. I was talking with someone last week who has been in conflict with some others. Unfortunately, this conflict has become very divisive within the organization and two factions have emerged as a result. This is always a scary thing to have happen. As we were talking, it became clear to me that labels such as "trouble maker" had been given to some people. I shared this observation with the other person and reminded them that we don't know what's going on behind the scenes with people. There are so many things that influence behaviors that we have no idea. And by giving people the benefit of the doubt, seeing them and treating them as more than their assigned label, can have huge rewards for everyone.

It's not easy seeing others as fellow Children of God, especially if they have hurt you deeply. I speak from personal experience. You see, I've been labeled by some others. It's hard to be treated as your label instead of a person. I've become an object. Frankly, all words and behaviors are forced to fit my assigned label. It's a great lesson in empathy for me, that I need to always be challenging myself to see others as people and not labels. And that is one of my most regular prayers, to see others as Children of God and not who I think they are. It's not my job to label others without their permission. My job is to love and serve them.