As a young child growing up, I had many names hurled at me. Some referred to the color of my skin, some to various parts of my physical body, others to my intelligence or lack thereof, others landed as curses to my human existence, and some even landed as so-called “compliments.”
 
I moronically ingested many of these names and permitted them to act like gremlins to penetrate my soul and define my existence and personae. Because of my spiritual ignorance of my true design, some of these names became my live-in soul mates for many years past my childhood.
 
I failed to realize that the depth of our being cannot be determined by the words of other extremely flawed individuals. Only God, The Creator, can determine the true reality of our existence.
 
The old cliché about sticks and stones is completely wrong. Names can hurt if you give them life. They will always yield rotten fruit: low self-esteem, confusion, depression, ceaseless anger, sadness, worthlessness, the false idea of real beauty, underachievement, ridiculous comparisons to others, ad infinitum.
 
Who we are is based on the relationship of God to humanity. We are made in the “image and likeness” of God, male and female,” (Genesis 1:26-27). We were created as a free moral personality, with a free will and capable of distinguishing between right and wrong. In this vein, our purpose must be to strive toward communion with God who desires to be in harmony with mankind and share His eternal love, grace, and abundant life.
 
God’s purpose for creating humanity with free will was to support the personality of mankind to choose an intimate relationship with Him. The love of God continually seeks to bond with His creations who often breach that connection through poor choices.
 
Jesus Christ, who is the image of God, and perfect in the “character” of God, was sent to help mankind conform to a Godly relationship. He is the vessel who can overcome our sinful personality and give us an advantage in our “metamorphosis” to return to God.
 
The moment we commit to walk with Jesus, the process of enjoying the benefits offered by God begins. Your inward person becomes the residence for the Holy Spirit who will move you forward in your fellowship with Him. He will guide and plant you closer to the promises of God which are always “Yes” and “Amen.” (I Corinthians 6:19) (2 Corinthians 1:20)
 
Everyone has his or her “stuff” to deal with in life. Therefore, others cannot possibly be perfectly correct in who or what they name you since they truly are clueless about the thoughts and attitudes of your heart. (Hebrews 4:12) In fact, you are also innocent of the true reality of who God intends you to be.
 
You can laugh and shout that you are “fearfully and wonderfully” made. (Psalm 139:14) Truth be told, this means you are a “splendid and miraculous” creation of God. (Psalm 139:14) Rejoice!
 
Don’t take in and embrace unwanted name-placing soul mates, rather start your passage in Jesus and experience God’s love and perception of you!

If you have been a driver for several years, no doubt, you have experienced a road detour caused by a freeway or thruway ramp closure, pavement work, or even an accident. Often, this may force you to find an alternate route that sends you a few miles out of the way of your intended destination.
 
Being unfamiliar with your alternate route could cause discombobulation or agitation, especially if it adds even more miles to your trip. You might even end up lost in an unfamiliar area that you read about but did not believe existed until now.
 
Make no mistake, throughout your life journey you will have the option to travel many different roads. Some will seem to be smooth sailing, and others will be full of ruts and potholes. You may start on a promising road, convinced that it leads to just what you thought you needed but end up with insincere friends, devastating disappointment, or useless, burdensome items. This road causes confusion and leads to a feeling of emptiness, emotional pain, and bewilderment. 
 
The road that seems to offer opportunities and is advertised as “too good to pass up” could be full of unexpected detours. In the unwise pursuit of financial success, you might find yourself in a deepening hole of debt, a victim of scams, or even bankruptcy. With your investment gone and your savings and checking account empty, this road filled with deception and misunderstanding, will lead to bitterness, distrust, and faithlessness. 
 
Then there is the road that contains temptations that lure you into compromising situations with supposedly “free” offers, great deals, and slick sales techniques that promise you the perfect and healthy body, elimination of wrinkles, removal of whatever ails you, and questionable dating games that promise the perfect soulmate. This road is a magnet for the shallowness of secularism, including beauty and riches. It will eventually lead to disappointment and unfulfillment. 
 
Each of these roads contains a list of endless counterfeits and jagged conclusions that will cause us to digress from our Godly purpose.
 
The road that directs us to real life contains a pasture where the Divine Shepherd welcomes us with His eternal one-of-a-kind love. We are His lump of created clay (humankind) and are so valuable to Him that He sent His only Son to overcome our sin. 
 
Since He designed us, no one knows us as He does. Therefore, we were each given unique gifts and talents that would equip us to reflect a Godly purpose in this three-dimensional world. 
 
Sadly, many of God’s objects of affection have chosen roads that produce few rewards of truth and life. They feed our emotions, alienate us from the light, and make us vulnerable to the darkness of this world. 
 
Let us remember that the “Good Shepherd’s” greatest desire is to establish a relationship with humanity and to bring mankind under His graceful and merciful care. (John 10:11;14) We should strive to walk on the road that leads to God’s Divine purpose and carry the mark of Jesus in whom rests eternal life.
 
God’s glorious road is filled with adventure! It includes grace, mercy, eternal love, forgiveness, healing, freedom, and the abundant life. 
(John 10:10; Romans 5:17) (Matthew 7:14) Wisdom says choose this road for your life journey!

If you have ever had your car windshield crack, a sudden leak in your kitchen plumbing, a close friend or relative unexpectedly become seriously ill, or some other dark scene from a nightmare shows up, you probably feel like a yellow “do not enter tape” or a “detour” sign has been posted on your life.
 
When all kinds of other “kooky stuff” happens over which we have no control, fear and anxiety immediately emerge and you question what else could possibly go bonkers. 
 
One of the repetitive questions is, “Why me?” 
 
Someone might answer, “Why not you?”
 
Since man has free will and the ability to make choices, the essence of Godly love has chosen afflictions to bring about sweeping changes in our personalities toward His Divine will. 
 
Individual afflictions, national afflictions (wars), persecution and antagonism toward our faith in Jesus Christ, are the primary categories of afflictions. A few of the well-recognized individual afflictions are illness, poverty, oppression of the weak, and conquests. 
 
Compared to a refiner’s fire, God uses afflictions to purify and remove the impurities, the garbage, the trash, and the debris in each soul. Most important is that all these afflictions become subordinate to God’s grace (His undeserved favor) which is active and powerful to overcome any affliction through Christ.
 
To many, the idea of afflictions being a form of God’s love is way over the top with no foundation of truth. But the solid cornerstone of this truth rests in God’s Son. 

Jesus was the visible profile of the servant who withstood and overcame the afflictions of individual suffering, national afflictions (war between Jews and Gentiles), and persecution and antagonism for having faith in His Father’s plan to bring freedom to mankind. 
 
Strengthening yourself mentally and emotionally against afflictions will not be a cakewalk. It will require patience and determination of the will with expectancy and hope. Avoid whining at all costs; pity parties always bring uninvited guests, e.g. oppression, depression, fear. It may seem as if your circumstances are not getting better, or they may appear to be getting worse, but hang in there and keep relying on and thanking God for making you a winner! (1 Corinthians 15:57) 
 
Statistics say it takes 1 to 3.3 billion years for a natural diamond to form. Yes, diamonds can be man-made, but they will never be as valuable as natural diamonds, nor will they be as durable. By comparison, look on the bright side. You can look forward to a much shorter growth period!
 
Always give your cares to Jesus, and trust in His faithfulness despite our unfaithfulness. (I Peter 5:7) Remember, the Love of the entire universe abides on the Throne and Jesus Christ is still Lord! (Ephesians 1:3)