Everyone Has Labels

Last week, as I was driving after completing a workout, I was listening to one of Charlie Kirk’s latest podcast episodes, trying to catch up on recent news events. As I was listening, a notification popped up on my phone that read “Charlie Kirk has been shot.” Devastated, I rushed home to watch the news for any updates. After an hour of watching, the tragic news arrived: Charlie Kirk did not survive.

Over the past few weeks, our country has received news of many brutal murders and shootings. Charlie Kirk and Iryna Zarutska both lost their lives when they were doing nothing wrong. Innocent children in schools across this country lost their lives on what they thought was going to be a normal school day. Many people are living in fear of being the next victim for speaking their opinion or being in the wrong place at the wrong time.

But, in this blog post, I want to discuss something different. Many have addressed their fears and concerns. In this post, I want to address the labels that both people like Charlie and Iryna have, as well as those who chose to murder them.

The First Label: Their Names.

Iryna Zarutska- A young Ukrainian who lost her life on a late night in Charlotte, NC, after being brutally murdered on a train after she got off work at a pizza shop.

Charlie Kirk- A 31-year-old father and husband who was the founder of Turning Point USA, host of the Charlie Kirk show, and national speaker on political issues.

Decarlos Brown Jr.- A black male with a history of multiple arrests, who stabbed Iryna Zarutska from behind.

Tyler Robinson- A young white male in his early twenties who assassinated Charlie Kirk at one of his Prove Me Wrong college speaking engagements.

The Second Label: How they are Described.

Please note that there are many ways these people can be described. I am only hitting the highlights.

Iryna Zarutska- Young, pretty, and sitting quietly on a train, texting her boyfriend that she was on her way home. She came to America to achieve her dreams and have a better life.

Charlie Kirk- A courageous Christian who stood for Christian beliefs on every issue. Conservative in his political beliefs. Family man who put his wife and children first.

Decarlos Brown Jr.- A man with a criminal past who has committed many violent crimes in the past. Some say he was racially motivated in his attack on Iryna, and he possibly has an issue with mental illness.

Tyler Robinson- Young college-aged man who comes from a family with a history in social service and law enforcement. Told his family he has a hatred for Charlie Kirk and his beliefs.

The Third Label: The Label Everyone Should Want

After watching the news and hearing the developing stories from these two infamous murders, I began to think about the labels the entire world has given these four people. From describing their appearances to detailing their political beliefs, all four of the names mentioned above have been labeled in many different ways.

And so have we.

Everyone has been given a label. We have names that let people know who we are. We have been described by a job title or a student in school. Other times, we are characterized by our political beliefs. Sometimes judgments are made against us, and we are given unfair labels by people who have just met us but don’t know us. Bullies label us with derogatory terms that destroy our confidence and how we view ourselves. Throughout our lives, our friends and families have given us nicknames to make us look cool or to remember an embarrassing moment. On social media, people will comment on our pictures with either uplifting words or words meant to tear us down.

Everyone has an opinion about others, and everyone gives others a label.

But what label should everyone want to have? I believe the only label that truly matters in the end is being called a “Child of God.” John 1:12 tells us how we can receive this label. John, a disciple of Jesus, writes, “Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.”

Both Charlie and Iryna have passed away, and we remember them with their earthly labels. But when they passed away, they had to answer to Jesus. When we pass, we will do the same. He will either tell us, “Well done, my good and faithful servant,” or, “Depart from me, I never knew you.” Which do you want to hear?

The person who has been labeled as a “Child of God” will be welcomed into God’s presence, whereas the one who never knew Jesus will be eternally separated from Him and face God’s wrath. God, in His loving mercy, gives us a choice while we are here on earth. Have you made your choice?

Charlie, Iryna, Decarlos, and Tyler have all been given labels by everyone. By now, the majority of the world, if not everyone, knows their names. The world knows them, but more importantly, Jesus knows them. He desires all to be known as a child of God (1 Timothy 2:4).

While man may give you a label, the only one you truly want to be known as is a Child of God.

Want to learn more about how you can become a Child of God? Click the link below.