Labels

Labels are for food, electronics and clothes. 
Labels are not for people.

Extrovert. Networker. Talker. Emotional. Friend.

These are labels I’ve worn for decades. While each word describes a facet of my making, they don’t define me any more than nutritional information defines the flavor of your favorite cereal.

Don’t get me wrong, adjectives are my favorite part of speech. But what happens when we place labels on those we are closest to, and more dangerously, people we barely know? We essentially begin writing someone else’s story-one that most likely isn’t at all accurate.

Case in point, a few folks over the years have said, “I wish I had your confidence when speaking in front of a large group.” I laughed every time, because “confident” was the last word I would have used to describe my stage presence. Perhaps prepared, energetic, extroverted, and scared. I may have exuded confidence, but the inner story, the real me, was scared.

I believe we are surrounded by joy, fear, hope and hurt- wrapped up inside one person all atone time. We should be careful to not affix a neat little label to each person and then filter every encounter through that label. We extroverts value alone time. We talkers CAN and DO listen, when our anxious mind relaxes.

We are extremely complex beings, just as our Creator is infinitely complex. So let’s take some time to recognize the complexity and perhaps even embrace the messiness that comes along with it.

My commitment to you is that I’m done with labels. I desire to know the REAL you- beneath the labels on the surface. I want to watch your authentic story unfold, instead of writing what I think it should be. Will you join me?

Psalm 139: 13-15 
You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother’s womb. Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it.

Labels first appeared on NathanClaycomb.com
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