What's Your Label?

Labels. I'm sure you've seen them...they reside on t-shirts sporting a one or two word description like, "Fearless," "Sexy," "Dog lover," "Cop's wife," "Coolest grandpa!," etc.

Those shirts say something about the wearer.  Yet, whether we display a t-shirt with a description on it or not, we are constantly giving ourselves a label that others perceive through our words and actions.

For example, a person who is loud and obnoxious, tends to be labelled that way; a man who fudges in some of his business dealings, is known as dishonest; a woman who "dates around" has a reputation that follows her wherever she goes.

So what are your labels?  How do people perceive you?

There's a story in the Bible about a despised tax collector named Zacchaeus.  This man was labelled as one getting rich at others expense. 

One particular day, he heard that Jesus was coming to his town, so being curious and also a man of small stature, he climbed up in a Sycamore tree to get a better look.  As Jesus drew near that spot, He looked up in the tree and said, "Zacchaeus, hurry and come down, for I must stay at your house today."

I believe Jesus was telling Zacchaeus, "Look, I know who you are and what you're doing.  You need to make some serious changes, and I'm just the One to help you." 

It says Zacchaeus climbed down and was filled with joy.  He told Jesus, "Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor.  And if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I restore it fourfold."

This man had repented of the wrong he was doing in his life.  He wanted a new label, something more suitable for a follower of Jesus.  Perhaps one that read, "Changed!"

Jesus answered him by saying, "Today salvation has come to this house..." 

So what are some of your labels?  What would your t-shirt say about you?  Maybe, this is the day that Jesus is saying to you..."I know who you are and what you're doing.  You need to make some changes and I'm just the One to help you." 

Why not let "the Hope and Change" we are all looking for, start with us today.

Blessings, friend.
Kristi