Life without Labels

What happened in Arizona on Saturday was a tragedy. When something of this nature comes to pass in our culture we find people responding to it in very different ways. Some basically ignore it - as it doesn't affect the framing question of their life: how does this affect me? Some bring healing through prayers and support of all kinds. Others physically help those affected. Still others commit their lives to the prevention of such tragic events in the future. Finally, some choose to add pain to pain. They may think they are justified in their response, but simply don't realize they are actually making the cut deeper and adding salt to it in the process.

It's 2011. I first heard of what took place via trending topics on twitter. In pursuing the story I was met with hundreds of responses that almost instantaneously placed blame on Sarah Palin for her ill-advised cross-hairs campaign propaganda. Palin may certainly share some semblance of blame in this matter, but the truth is we all do. 

Right or Left, Republican or Democrat, Gay or Straight, Hot or Not, we are quick to label people in our culture. Labels are easier than love.

If we can successfully label people all around us, it makes it much simpler to not care about them. I'm guilty of this. I hope you would find the courage to admit your fault here too. Six people lost their lives Saturday. Fourteen others are wounded. Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords was shot in the head, just hours later stones were being cast across party lines.

In following Jesus, I'm inspired by his refusal to label others. We aren't creators of this problem, just not-so-early adopters. The culture of Jesus' day had their share of labels: Prostitutes and Promiscuous, Tax-Collectors and Sinners, Lepers and Losers. What is incredibly challenging about the imitation of Christ is that he not only refused to condone such labels, his reputation was defined by spending a great deal of time with them. It's one thing to write on a little known blog about the atrocities of labels, it's a very much different thing to hold a reputation as one who hangs out with the labeled.

As more information comes out about the young man who is responsible for the tragedy in Arizona, labels are being prepared and produced to explain his horrendous act. Jesus died for him too. Life without labels may seem like a pipe-dream to some, but I find it to be of utmost importance for the name of Jesus as revealed by those who claim to follow Him. Labels are a lot easier than love. Choose love.