Once they let me out of jail, I held my head up excessive,
Decided I’d rise above the disgrace,
However irrespective of the place I’m residing, the black mark follows me,
I’m branded with a quantity on my identify.
The above lyrics, the reflections of a prisoner, have been taken off a hit-song recorded by Nation star Merle Haggard, titled ‘Branded Man’. Merle actually knew what it was prefer to be a ‘Branded Man’, since he hung out in jail, together with the dreaded San Quentin Jail.
I don’t know what it’s about people, however we appear to thrive on putting ‘manufacturers’ on folks. We hear phrases like loser, failure, cheat, addict, gossip, jail hen, fats, ugly and extra getting used on folks. Companions use insulting names on one another, with a lot remorse later. And, mother and father generally use manufacturers like idiot, fool and silly on their youngsters, snuffing out the sunshine inside them within the course of. Sadly, many instances we settle for the branding placed on us by others and reside our lives believing that lie!
The excellent news nonetheless, is that no matter folks say or consider us, what actually issues is what God thinks of us. Fortunately, the scriptures present us time and time once more that God by no means manufacturers us, however as an alternative, locations nice worth on us. A lot worth in reality, that He gave His solely Son, The Lord Jesus Christ, to die for us as people. The Bible additionally says that God is aware of us by identify, our actual identify, and never the branded names others have positioned on us. Listed below are some highly effective scriptures.
“I (God) have summoned you by identify, you might be mine” (Isaiah 43:1)
“I’m fearfully and splendidly made” (Psalm 139:14)
“But to all who acquired Him (Jesus), to those that believed in His identify, He gave the fitting to grow to be the youngsters of God”. (John 1:12)
Sure, in Jesus, you’re a little one of God! So, right now, cease believing the names others have branded you with and imagine the reality of what God thinks of you. It’s going to change your total outlook in life and offer you new braveness to meet your God-given future!
Illustration – There’s a story of a person who was caught stealing sheep and was branded with the letters ST (sheep thief) on his brow. It was a stigma he would carry for the remainder of his life. Nonetheless, the person turned it round by residing a godly and fulfilled life, a lot in order that in his later years, the identical letters, ST (sheep thief), have been thought-about to face for ‘Saint’!
Coming again to the instance given earlier, Merle Haggard, the prisoner, was pardoned by the then Governor of California, Ronald Reagan, later to grow to be President Reagan, and by no means appeared again. He went on to grow to be a legend in Nation Music!
The e book of Philemon within the New Testomony, tells the story of how the Apostle Paul mentored a runaway slave named Onesimus (which means helpful), who was now branded as ‘ineffective’. In verse 11, Paul tells his former grasp Philemon, “Previously he (Onesimus) was ineffective to you, however now he has grow to be USEFUL each to you and to me”. That’s how God removes our insults.
As soon as once more I say, don’t settle for the manufacturers folks place on you. As a substitute, reside for God’s glory and be amazed by what Jesus will do in and thru you!
By Palitha Jayasooriya
utilized by permission
FURTHER READING
Before – A Poem by Roy Lessin
