Pack Up the Labels, Unpack the Truth

Week One: Feeling Forgotten and Unnoticed?

I have labels that I wear daily. What is a label? According to dictionary.com, one of the definitions of a label is “a short word or phrase descriptive of a person, group, intellectual movement, etc.”. I’m not sure about any intellectual movement, but I know I have labels that I have allowed to describe and define me: labels that say failure, quitter, unschooled, unattractive, unworthy, ordinary, etc.

What labels do you wear? We all have labels in our daily lives. Those labels are attached to us like a heavy sack that weighs us down. The problem with our labels is they come from the world and ourselves. When we believe and apply those labels, a couple of issues result. One is that the labels distort the truth and alter our perspective of ourselves. And two, we are not trusting in or believing God’s Word and promises.

When we apply the labels, we listen to the world and ourselves and neither can be trusted. But Romans 12:2a tells us –

“Do not conform to the pattern of this world,

but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”

We are conforming to the world when we wear the labels. Therefore, we need to be transformed. Our minds need renewing. The way of transformation is through Scripture – God’s Word. We must dig into His Word and see what He says about Himself and ourselves. Only then can we pack up the worldly labels, send them away, and unpack and apply the appropriate labels for a child of God.

Do you, like me, sometimes feel forgotten or unnoticed? I can quickly feel that way when I am overlooked or rejected. I’m an introvert who is very uncomfortable and quiet in a room full of people. How many of us hide behind our feelings, thinking no one notices or cares? Have you ever felt all alone in a crowded room with people all around you? Do you sometimes scream to be noticed but not be heard?

It’s time for you and me to renew our minds with Isaiah 49:15-16:

“Can a mother forget the baby at her breast
    and have no compassion on the child she has borne?
Though she may forget,
    I will not forget you!
See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands;
    your walls are ever before me.”

God sees you. He loves you. He cares about you. Humans forget things, and our love for others is imperfect. But God is the God of perfect love. God doesn’t forget, so if he created you, he won’t forget you.

As a child, do you remember getting in trouble for writing with an ink pen on your hands? As an adult, you may write reminders on your hands out of necessity. “Milk? Bread? What do I need?” God doesn’t need to be reminded, but his hands are marked for us so that we, his children, can feel secure.

God’s engraved hands don’t serve as a reminder for him but as

a testimony for us of his love and remembrance.

One name for God is “El Roi,” meaning “the God who sees.” (Genesis 16:13). You can’t hide from God, and He will never lose you. You will never be unnoticed. Isaiah 43:4 says, “Since you are precious and honored in my sight,(emphasis mine) and because I love you,” You are in God’s sight, and He loves you. So, the next time you think you’re invisible, picture God’s hands, with you engraved on them, reaching out to His beloved with his promise never to forget you!

Pack up the old labels “forgotten” and “unnoticed” and send them away. Believe what Scripture says about God and you. Then, unpack and replace the worldly labels for God’s children with His: “seen,” “loved,” and “cherished.”

Heart Moment: Think about labels that you have allowed to be applied and wear daily. Write them down. How have they distorted the truth about yourself and God? Pray for God to show you His truth over the coming weeks.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, you are perfect and wise in all of your ways. Thank you for your love and the opportunity to search Your Word for the truth about You and myself. Help me to believe your Word and apply it to my life so I can stand in the position and privilege as your child and glorify you with my life.