Something that I've been learning is that I am not who I think I am. I have an idea built up in my mind of who I am and who I should be. I have an idea in my mind of how the world is and how things should work. Many of my ideas may be the naivete of youth, but I'm learning. Despite my best efforts to learn, God teaches me and I am beginning to find that the largest hindrance to my learning is - me. My ideas and knowledge are not always advantageous, but almost adversarial. I am also learning that I must become very cautious of how I label myself and others. If I say, "I'm just outspoken." - it's no surprise that I end up speaking my mind without a thought to my words. If I say, "I am depressed." - I fall into the pit of despair where depressed people reside. I believe that God desires for us all to realize that we are nothing but who He says we are. As His children, our identity is wrapped up in Him. For me to say that 'I am this, or that' is to remove myself from who He has called me to be. I find that by applying a label to myself I apply myself to fulfilling the label. I don't know if this is absolute truth, but as far as I am in my walk I am finding it to be helpful and convicting. I believe we must all take great pains and care in watching what and who we label. Our actions will reflect our attitude and our attitude will come from what we hold in our heart. I pray that the joy and peace of Christ abounds in the hearts and mind of all our family. I hope that no matter what it is that we are experiencing we do not identify with it. What is happening is a situation - who we are is in Christ. Pray for one another. Hope with each other. Cry with your friends. Rejoice with the Body of Christ. Do not be troubled with the matters of this world but take heart in the life and love that overflows in us that is from God.
Romans 8
