My pastor, Jay, has been using as a theme for this Linton. The topic of labels. He points lamented that sometimes we are quick to label people and to label ourselves. When we place labels on people, he said, we see them as the label and not as the person they are.
Perhaps, we could add to that assessment of the “labeling issue” the notion that when we label a person or label ourselves, we dehumanize such person. Regrettably, for us, dehumanization is exactly the opposite of the reason why Jesus came to be with us and remains with us.
He, being fully God, came to be with us becoming fully human. What label should we put on that? The only label that comes to mind is “love.” ” For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son…” John 3:16.
Recently, I was talking with a therapist friend of mine in Birmingham, Alabama. We were discussing labeling, and she pointed out that labeling is the exact opposite of compassion. When we label someone, it is much more difficult for us to have compassion upon that person.
My pastor, Jay, has been using as a theme for this Lenten season the topic of “labels.” He lamented that sometimes we are quick to label people and to label ourselves. When we place labels on people, he said, we see them as the label and not as the person they are.
Perhaps, we could add to that assessment of the “labeling issue” the notion that when we label a person or label ourselves, we dehumanize such person. Regrettably, for us, dehumanization is exactly the opposite of the reason why Jesus came to be with us and remains with us.
He, being fully God, came to be with us becoming fully human. What label should we put on that? The only label that comes to mind is “love.” ” For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son…” John 3:16.
Recently, I was talking with a therapist friend of mine in Birmingham, Alabama. We were discussing labeling, and she pointed out that labeling is the exact opposite of compassion. When we label someone, it is much more difficult for us to have compassion upon that person.
Conversely, when we have compassion for someone, even ourselves, it is much more difficult to place a label on such a person. (And this from a psychotherapist!) While everyone else in the world knew this, it came as a revelation to me, Captain Obvious – at your service.
I tend to be an inwardly judgmental person even if I do not express the judgment to others. I’ve heard it said that if you remain silent, people may think you a fool, but if you open your mouth, you may remove all doubt.
That being said, I am even much more judgmental of myself than of others. Referring back to my therapist friend’s comment, this means that my capacity for compassion is limited. As we might say in politically correct jargon, I find myself “compassionately challenged.”
Over the years, I have blamed this on my mother and my grandmother, (true, hardcore South Alabama Southern Baptists from the old school. ) Thus, I reason, it’s not my fault.
My therapist friend, as well as most of you, would submit that while they may (or may not) have been a “labeling influence,” to label vel non, is a choice I have made. To put it into theological terms, while they may or may not have sinned, I bear no responsibility either way. Contra wise, if I don the righteous robe of the judge, I also snap the steel-shanked shackles of the sin.
The “Good News” that there is a remedy for both the sin and the psychosis. This can be remedied by volitionally choosing to see people as people and by choosing to have compassion on them. In other words to paraphrase an old wristband, “What DID Jesus Do? You all know the answer better than I. You have demonstrated that in your ministry time and time again.
When I have compassion upon someone, I will cease to be judgmental of that person.
God make it so.
So let it be written, so let it be done.
johnthebaptist15 