New Name ~ I know where I came from and where I am going…. John 8:14
“I know where I came from and I know where I’m going…”
Jesus was speaking of Himself as He spoke these words, and as I repeated them in prayer they echoed my own awareness of where I have come from and where I’m headed. Born in the flesh of Edward and Marjory Fellman, I was re-born in baptism as a child of God the Father, with Jesus Christ my brother, my Savior, my Lord. Receiving the baptism in the Holy Spirit when I was 46 was another re-birth, a deeper conversion experience as the life of Jesus became alive in me in a profoundly new way.
As in the life of every Christian, my journey has often led to the Cross, and through the Cross to new life and the hope of heaven and union with God. One cannot live this life without trials, and what a blessing to be given the grace to embrace suffering as gift, having value of eternal proportions when united with Christ’s own suffering and death.
The new relationship with God is often expressed in Scripture with a change in name: Abram to Abraham, Sarai to Sarah, Simon to Peter, Saul to Paul… the words of the song “I will cha nge your name” by DJ Butler speak to my heart and bring me great joy! “You shall no longer be called, Wounded, Outcast, Lonely and Afraid,” but rather “Confidence, Joyfulness, Overcoming one…Faithfulness, Friend of God, One who seeks My face…” Indeed God has changed my name! The enemy would have me live in the labels of reproach and self-condemnation, while God in His mercy has lifted me from those lies and confirmed my true identity as His precious child, His beloved daughter.
Our culture is immersed in confusion about personal identity, and often living in those names of Loneliness and Fear. I thank God for revealing to us through His Word the reality of where we have come from, and the promise of where we are headed, giving us beautiful new names as we follow Him and remain faithful to His commandments.
Lord God, thank you for the gift of Baptism, in water and fire! Thank you for re-creating us as your precious children, with the promise of eternal Life! Grant us the grace to remain faithful to Your commandments, and live the new names You have given to us…
Spiritual Sun Pennies 