Article May 15, 2000 Issue

Check that nametag

Do you know who you really are?

By Bethany Adlam Brix

The convention hall was filling up as a woman made her way to the registration desk. She was given a name badge and an information packet. No sooner had she found a seat for the opening session than a couple engaged her in animated conversation. When they addressed her by name, however, she realized that they had mistaken her for someone else because she was wearing the wrong name badge. A quick trip to the desk rectified the situation, and she had a good laugh with her new acquaintances.

How easily that false identification occurred. Yet it was uncovered and remedied just as easily and quickly. Two important steps took place. First, the woman never accepted as real or accurate the wrong name. Second, she took immediate steps to correct the mistake.

People wear nametags, but lots of other things carry some sort of identification tag or label as well—food products, clothing, mattresses, even toys. Often these labels give not only the name but the nature, or contents, of the item. How would a tag identifying our own "contents" as individuals read? If it was telling the truth, it would say that each of us is, by nature, perfect and spiritual, made in God's likeness and composed of His qualities, which are entirely good. God has created us to express His purity, strength, intelligence, and so forth. That expression is our true identity.

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