Labels

This week, as I was watching the season finale of 24, my dad said something that triggered me to analyze what he had just said. This was my first time watching 24 and he was commenting on who everyone was and basically giving me the background of their character. He was telling me stuff like, "He's the bad guy" and "he's one of the good guys" and "yeah, those are the bad people." Of course he was saying this in all innocence, but you know I had to think about it and dissect the mess out of it! Anyways, I began to think about how we all grow up labeling people as such. From the time a little boy watches a Cowboys and Indians movie and a little girl does...well...whatever it is that little girls do...we get it into our heads that people are either good or bad and if they aren't like you, then they're on the other side and therefore your enemy. We are never taught that if someone isn't like you or doesn't always agree w/ you, that they too are also a child of God and loved beyond belief by our Heavenly Father. Thereby, this makes them my brother or sister that I should love as dearly as family. This means that the only label that is appropriate for me to put on others is "the Beloved." Therefore, that will constantly remind me of who they are and whose they are. They are not what they do or don't do, but rather they are of the same flesh and are yet still one of the fellow beloved, making them no better or worse than I am--if anything, better. So, I guess I now hesitate to state or label others--whether it be in a movie or in real life--as good or bad. As Jesus told us, no one is "good" but the Father who is in heaven. I'm always going to try to do...or be...better, knowing that I will never be good. Holistically, I must always strive to be better, be changed and molded more into the likeness of him who died for me despite the fact that I am one of the bad guys...and even more so because I am.

Who am I to deserve this?! Who are you to deserve this?! Who are we to deserve this?!......We are the beloved...Amen.