For
the sake of Jacob my servant, of Israel my chosen, I summon you by name
and bestow on you a title of honor, though you do not acknowledge me.
Isaiah 45:4
I
came from a broken home with multiple marriages and several years of
being raised by a single mother during my boyhood and teenage years. I
experienced the tragedy of seeing two people arguing and fighting
bitterly day in and day out. And the ensuing pain of divorce.
I did not grow up desiring to become an astronaut, or a policeman, or a
successful businessman. My one desire in life was to marry the right
woman and have a “normal” godly home with no fighting, no wrath or
hatred or bitterness poisoning the well of my relationships. By the
grace of God I have experienced such a marriage and family for thirty three years.
My title was “Salesman” when I was involved in retail sales. Later it
became “Factory Worker” as I spent several years working in
manufacturing. People often label us or give us titles according to what
we do. It got me thinking, for those disabled or retired and no longer
working in any field, what title or label might they wear?
Wouldn’t it be something if we were titled according to attributes or
things that really mattered to us? Perhaps my title would be: Karlton husband of Rhonda, or Karlton father of Sarah, or Karlton son of Paula. Ultimately and best of all: Karlton child of God.
Big titles matter to some people, and there is nothing wrong with great
labels and famous occupations. Yet I think in the end it is our
relationships with others and, most importantly, with Jesus that will
mark us for who we really were in life. For that will show what we
became, and not our occupation in life.
Do not be discouraged because you lack a title or grand occupation. You are a child of God and what could be better than that?
Prayer:
Dear Lord, You give us everything and You make us what we truly are and
ultimately will become. Jesus be Jesus in us, there is no greater honor
than that. Amen.
Karlton - what you share is so very true. I think any of us who become faced with chronic illnesses that take us from a work life suddenly realize how much that work meant. And right it should have been. But not having it anymore is sad, in and of itself. We haven't changed; how others may have known us has.
ReplyDeleteI think the greatest learning we do is just what you said. God loves us. Period. His view is not dependent on any role other that who we are in Him and because of him. There are times it takes reminders for we often long to be 'doing' more than we can. But He reins us in and - as He leads - there comes a different kind work we can do but our identity is not dependent on it.
God bless - Lynn