Current Size: 100%
Text Size
Author Information
Recent Stories
Labels......A Sticky Situation
Normally labels and cliques are associated with school. You get labeled for the things you wear, the way you act, the place you sit, the classes you take, the people you date, the friends you have and the things you do. Once you get labeled you normally can't shake that label, it's gonna stick. You've got the jock, the nerd, the cheerleader, the pretty and popular, the christian, the fat, the skinny, the teacher's pet, and the prep. But do they ever really stop? Do the labels ever really go away?
I've found out recently that they don't. You might be able to shake one you had in high school, but they are always going to be around. I had a label put on me that I was a flirt. Now, for those that know me, my personality is one that is bubbly and outgoing, and always talking to everyone, so this type of label wouldn't be uncommon. While I might act flirty, my intentions were pure and motives nothing more than being friendly. But something else I learned about labels.........even if the label fits, sometimes it hurts just as much.
Now, the people that said this about me never meant to hurt me, and I understand that. But that doesn't mean that I didn't get hurt. I knew when I acted like that, that I was just being me, nothing more, nothing less, and all of a sudden it got to be a huge deal, and so I am stopping. Why? Because I am married and because a very wise person told me about a great passage of scripture in Titus. In short it says, 'For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and wordly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope-the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good. These, then, are the things you should teach. Encourage and rebuke with all authority. Do not let anyone despise you.' Titus 2:11-15
I used to be the one with the, "I don't care what they say or think about me" attitude, and I don't..........to a point. But I also need to remember that I am married and I am a Crossfire JV Sponsor.....people watch me and my actions. And while my motives were pure, they might not have looked like it at all times. At times, I looked like a flirt. So, I learned a valuable lesson, one that I will take to heart.
Now, the people that said this about me never meant to hurt me, and I understand that. But that doesn't mean that I didn't get hurt. I knew when I acted like that, that I was just being me, nothing more, nothing less, and all of a sudden it got to be a huge deal, and so I am stopping. Why? Because I am married and because a very wise person told me about a great passage of scripture in Titus. In short it says, 'For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and wordly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope-the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good. These, then, are the things you should teach. Encourage and rebuke with all authority. Do not let anyone despise you.' Titus 2:11-15
I used to be the one with the, "I don't care what they say or think about me" attitude, and I don't..........to a point. But I also need to remember that I am married and I am a Crossfire JV Sponsor.....people watch me and my actions. And while my motives were pure, they might not have looked like it at all times. At times, I looked like a flirt. So, I learned a valuable lesson, one that I will take to heart.
But in all things, labels and cliques are wrong. We don't live in a free society, it's not safe to share your opinions all the time, but you should be free to be who you are. Don't be too fat, or too thin, or too dark, or too light; don't be too sexual, or too chaste, or too smart, or too dumb. Be yourself. But make sure you fit in. Unfortunately, that's how it is today. So, the next time you are about to label someone, even if it's only in your head, remember that, even if it's true, it can still hurt.