I won’t pretend to know everything, but I do know in this part of the world, I am labeled by nine digits. Yes, I’m aware of my birth parents, my place of origin and even where I place on the sibling poll, but those nine digits establishes my access to employment, education, credit and a myriad of other personal areas not pertinent to this post. Those nine digits, however, do not define my character, my personality or my stance.
Though those assigned numbers are a marker for our social and physical identity, they don’t spiritually define you or me. They don’t put passion to your purpose or bring clarity to your calling. You aren’t labeled with a mosaic of experiences from digits randomly assigned. For most, that assigned number often hinges upon acceptance and opinions of others, not by your uniquely-designed traits.
Let’s get spiritual for a moment. From the Original, humanity was formed. And He alone found His creation exquisite (my description for “very good” — Genesis 1:27, 31). God didn’t label us perfect, because honestly throughout history, we’ve missed that bull’s eye countless times. But it has never stopped God from seeing His formed images as a beautiful work in process. He gave Rahab, a prostitute, a place in the biblical narrative because of her role in the Promised Land saga (Joshua 2). He forgave David for placing Bathsheba and Uriah in an awkward position to cover his sinfulness (2 Samuel 11 & 12). That’s the beauty of our Creator: He knows what we are and He cares for us anyway.
Think about it. When was the last time you cared more about the label assigned to you by a demanding boss, a critical acquaintance, a judgmental parent, spouse or clergy than what God clearly thinks about you? He tells us “though my father and mother forsake me, the Lord will receive me” (Psalm 27:10). God receives us because He knows us. He created us. He knows we are more than digits, more than criticisms, more than mistakes. In fact, “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:10).
I love who I’ve become — mosaic pieces and all. Why? Because I am created in God, by God and for God. I am defined by Him, not by others. And I don’t need the criticism of nine digits or human designer labels telling me I am noting but a Child of God!
