LABELLED

Divorced and a single mom. Her ex left rather abruptly with little explanation. Recently, my friend met a very kind Christian man and went on a few dates before being confronted by his family that she was simply not what they hoped for—they could not see passed “previously married, divorced, a single mom”. Regardless of her admirable character, spiritual conviction, family loyalty, work ethic, and selfless acts of kindness, she was “labelled” by his family as unworthy.

I would guess the vast majority of us have had words spoken to us that pierced our souls and planted themselves in our hearts. Both positive and/or condescending words. BUT how sad that we tend to focus on the negative words over the positive. (I am not referring to constructive criticism.) It is often like someone slapped a label on our backs and we walk through life never realizing we accepted the “label” OR we may go through life fighting an inner battle to rise above it. The point is, how much power do we give these labels and/or the people who speak them? The answer to this is our choice. I was about 30 years old when I had this revelation. It is MY choice as to how much power I give people in my life. Those in my inner circle have the freedom to speak truths into my life. I weigh what they have to say, pray, and move accordingly. With those beyond my inner circle, especially since the tragedy, I am more careful to protect my heart.

It was early morning as I sat with my cup of coffee and my Bible fell open to Daniel chapter 1. As long as I have been a Christian, I never discerned what was made known to me this morning. Most of us know the story of Shadrach, Meshack, Abednego, and the fiery furnace. But, did you know they were “labelled”—disrespectfully and dishonorably labelled?

“King Nebuchadnezzar, the supreme leader of Babylonia, was feared throughout the world. When he invaded a country, defeat was certain. After a victory, the Babylonians would capture and take the most talented and useful people back to Babylon.” 1

King Nebuchadnezzar went to Jerusalem and besieged it. He took some of the articles from the temple of God and carried them off to the temple of his god in Babylonia and put in the treasure house of his god. The king ordered his chief of his court officials to bring in some of the Israelites from the royal family and the nobility—young men without any physical defect handsome, showing aptitude for every kind of learning, well informed, quick to understand, and qualified to serve in the king’s palace. They would be taught the language and literature of the Babylonians. The king assigned them a daily amount of food and wine from the king’s table. They were to be trained for three years, and after that they were to enter the king’s service. Among these were some men from Judah: Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah. (Daniel 1:1-6)  

“The academic training program would have included mathematics, astronomy, history, science, and magic. These young men demonstrated not only aptitude, but also discipline. This character trait, combined with integrity, served them well in their new culture…Nebuchadnezzar changed the names of Daniel and his friends because he wanted to make them Babylonian…New names would help them assimilate into the culture. Daniel means “God is my Judge” in Hebrew; his name was [disgracefully] changed to Belteshazzar meaning “Bel, protect his life!” (Bel, also called Marduk, was the chief Babylonian god). Hananiah means “the Lord shows grace”; his new name, Shadrach, probably means “under the command of Aku” (the moon god). Mishael means “who is like God?”; his new name, Meshach, probably means “who is like Aku?” Azariah means, “the Lord helps”; his new name, Abednego, means “servant of Nego/Nebo” (or Nabu, the god of learning and writing). This was how the king attempted to change the religious loyalty of these young men from Judah’s God to Babylonia’s gods.” 1 

Despite all of this, none of the four young men bowed to the demands of the king. Three were eventually thrown into a fiery furnace seven times hotter than normal, but walked out unscathed, not a hair burned, without a hint of smoke. They were saved by the hand of the Almighty God for their faithfulness and steadfastness. They were labelled by the king with ill intent, yet the four did not yield to his agenda. The Word says, “Daniel resolved to obey God.” They did not succumb to the names put on them. Rather, they were favored, and God promoted them in status in the Babylonian kingdom. God got His glory! (You should read the book of Daniel; it is fascinating and inspiring!)

Back to my friend…after seeking counsel so that I could encourage her rightfully, I told her she was being unfairly labelled. And if his family wanted to focus on labels, let’s focus on the actual labels she is—she is a Child of God, a Christ-like example to her daughter, a person of integrity and conviction at her job and in her personal life, a lover of people who others consider unlovable, REDEEMED. Then we prayed God would numb the voices so that she could walk steadfast in her calling and that she would not yield to the labels wrongfully cast. After all, if we are more focused on what others say or think about us, then 1) our eyes are not on God and His purpose for us, and 2) we are living distracted lives where little good can cultivate.

Labels can be positive, but many are harmful and destructive, and imprison us into believing untruths. What labels do we own because someone spoke them over us and now are a part of who we are? What “name change” did we receive by someone of power in our lives—a name that dishonors the very God we serve? What label covers who we really are—a Child of God, Redeemed by Grace? 

I was dumfounded to read Daniel chapter 1 and receive this revelation. Four men who did not cower to the names put on them—even to the point of death. They had to answer by those names, yes, but they KNEW WHOSE THEY REALLY WERE! Labels or words spoken to us or about us, though possibly painful, should bounce off if they do not line up with God’s Word. We should learn to walk in the example of these four men. Walk in the world, in your circumstance, but never let the words take root. Just because the king changed their names did NOT give him access to their hearts!  

For me personally one of my favorite examples, that could have gone either way, was while serving Mr. Sam Moore, former CEO/Chairman of Thomas Nelson Publishers, as his Executive Assistant. I knew Mr. Moore prior to being promoted as his EA, so we connected from day one. And from day one, he decided to nickname me “Jezebel.” I remember saying, “Seriously? Jezebel? She was eaten by dogs!” And with that Moore grin, he said sharply, “Yep.” For the duration of time I served him, Jezebel was it; however, he never called me Jezebel in front of clients or strangers, only as jest in the office. It became quite funny to hear him call me, or better yet, call me over the speaker on my phone, “Jezebel!” I would enter his office smiling. The difference here is that I knew he liked me and respected me. I knew God placed me in that position to serve him—a very Godly, humble man with much God-given authority. I also knew my character was far from this Jezebel’s, so I never took offense. It was quite humorous actually. BUT…had our relationship been different, I can see where this would have been a source of humiliation and contention. I cannot explain why his choice of “Jezebel”, but I do know it was never malicious as with Nebuchadnezzar. My circumstance was different. This was the most rewarding yet most challenging job I ever had. And, I so miss working for the now departed Mr. Sam Moore.

A full pendulum swing, I have experienced extraordinary labels of encouragement. Our oldest daughter nicknamed me “Misma” when she was about 16—one of the highest compliments I have ever received. (Read the story in my blog, WORD.) Since the tragedy, our youngest daughter followed a spiritual prompting and nicknamed me “Courage” and her father “Capable.” Tears to my eyes even now. And I melt when our grand-kiddos call me “GG” because though they may not know what it stands for, I do! More importantly, to know that my own children chose “GG” is priceless to me. These labels I will hold in my heart forever! 

So, it is time to ponder. Pray. Ask God to reveal any labels that have taken root in our souls that dishonor Him. Then be diligent to go through whatever strategy He gives us to remove them.

The catch, however, is that many of us are comfortable with the labels placed on us. We’ve adapted and learned to live in them—accepting them as our character. We’ve become complacent, and to be quite honest, it is just easier to let things be. BUT, we need to ask ourselves, “What would God have us do?” God is in the stretching business. He never leaves us stagnant, but rather, He is always pushing and prodding us to be better and more Christ-like. So, I guess it comes down to whether we want to live under the words of man, OR pursue the challenge and rip those labels off like old nasty band-aids—pain and all!

Remember, we are saved by His inexhaustible grace, and no label—NO LABEL—is greater than our God. We are nothing less than what He says we are. Anything else MUST GO—for our good, and His great glory! Amen? (Lord, may I hear my own words, and may they impact my wounded heart.)

Tag. You’re it!

1-Footnotes from Daniel, Life Application Bible, NIV, Zondervan