Our Texture, God's Glory

By Caroline Bess

Justin’s been given a big gift. I think that after listening to most of his messages. They help me gain perspective and focus before beginning another week. I always think they’re wonderful reminders. Application to my life is easy. I thought especially so after this week’s message.

He talked about categories and labels. Earthly ones. Things we believe and value because we’ve been programmed to our whole lives. Categories that brought my life to an abrupt halt a few years ago.

I’m sure I won’t do his sermon justice, but I’ll try to summarize some of the things I took note of as he was speaking. Some things I loved. Some things I feel so deeply.

The world can enslave us with its categories. We can’t find meaning in the categories our world tries to put us in, but we often try to find our worth through the labels we wear. It can take a daily, even hourly, reminder for us to remember we are all one through Jesus.

And my favorite quote from today: “The world wants to take away our texture.”

In our family, the labels and categories can be helpful. They provide services and answers to questions. They can bring understanding, and hopefully, acceptance.

Because of a label, I’ve also learned to embrace differences. In my classroom. At home. I now find beauty in what I once saw as obstacles. My mind goes to children so quickly, because of my own kids and my job. We push so many labels - athletic, smart, social, popular. We often send the message that life is supposed to be so easy-just fall into one of these categories- when in fact we as adults know how hard things can actually be. What happens when we don’t fall into a category so easily...or when we don’t into one we once did? As Justin said, “There’s a unique gift in all of our categories”.

None of our labels define us. We are so much more than the categories we fall into. Asher is so much more than the word autism will ever describe.

“The Lord is our banner” - That gives us so much freedom. There’s only one category we need to fall into. We only need to wave His banner, promote His brand. We only need to love Jesus and display this love. Don’t let the world take away your texture. It’s what makes you, you.