Words, labels, and titles (what others say to us, say about us, or what we say to and about ourselves) make an impact – positive and negative – on our life outlook.
On a recent ministry trip, as we walked through a busy plaza, a beggar dressed like SPIDERMAN, singled me out of the group to harass me about my body shape. (He and I would have passed for twins had I been in a similar costume.) I can’t recall his specific unsolicited words that gave his (uncomfortably accurate) verbal assessment of my waistline. However, I felt personal discomfort from such public labeling.
One of the most image adjusting, value adding, “public labelings” to happen in scripture occurred in Genesis 32:26-28 NLT. “Then the man (angel) said, “Let me go, for the dawn is breaking!” But Jacob said, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.” “What is your name?” the man asked. He replied, “Jacob.” (aka deceiver) “Your name will no longer be Jacob,” the man told him. “From now on you will be called Israel (new public label) because you have fought with God and with men and have won.””
Alums, how well do you manage your external and internal labeling? I suggest we intentionally prioritize and embrace the names, labels, and titles Jesus uses for us. He has labeled us as those who overcome; the righteousness of God in Christ; the redeemed of the Lord; His chosen possession; and one of the key motives for the imminent rapture of the church!
I want to ruminate more on how He describes me than how Spiderman – or anyone else – describes me. In this holiday season and beyond, I pray you will do the same.
Listen to the voice of the Spirit. His perspective of you will never sound like the mocking voice of Spiderman.
Appreciating the Kings perspective,
Terry L. Yancey
EU Alumni Pastor & Ministry Training Advocate