Somewhere around adolescence it seems like our generation was told, “Welcome to the world – choose some labels to live by so that everyone else can be comfortable with you.” And we readily identified ourselves – with things as mundane as clothing, video games, and nostalgic moments from the “80’s” or “90’s”. But we also grew up with multiple ways to explain our dysfunction: Introvert, Extrovert, ADD, ADHD, Emo, High I, S, D or whatever else.
As much as the world seems to be more ‘free’ than ever, there is still huge pressure to fit somewhere – to identify with a category so that others can feel safe around you. But I have yet to experience life that is as rigid as we make it out to be. I wouldn’t go as far as saying, “everything is relative”, but everything is definitely personal. Whatever happens, it will affect individuals in multiple ways – all valid and real.
So here are a two labels I have decided don’t belong over my life.
Introvert
Now, to be clear, I am completely drained by being around people. Time alone regenerates me. I have melancholic tendencies and a level of social anxiety that I am dealing with at the moment. But that does not mean I have to live under these symptoms forever. I have come to learn I need people more than ever lately – whether they make me tired or not doesn’t matter. Jesus came for people and preached a gospel about others. So I’m not going to hide behind some random label as an excuse.
Musician
This one has infuriated me for many years. To be honest – most people mean well when they refer to me in this way, but it is one of the most limiting label. It pushes me out of conversations more than anything else. I may have honed my skills in a specific craft at university, but that does not mean that it is all I am good for. In fact, my passion for creativity goes far beyond the ability to make nice sounding noise. There are those who enjoy simply playing their instruments and want to do that for the rest of their lives. But that’s not me. God values character way higher than what you may be doing. Ability is praised by the world but it is simply the byproduct of a whole person. My musical ability is only due to discipline as much as an athlete’s ability is a result of discipline. So maybe rip off the labels of occupation or ability when considering others.
There are many others, but I just want to encourage you to think about your own life. What labels are you allowing yourself to wear? Are you identifying too much with things that are external – instead of focusing on what God has spoken into your very being? Our value as God’s very own cannot be quantified into any label. If you want to know more of what God has placed in you – it starts with knowing him. Click on the link below to find out how you can start that relationship.