In Search of a Name Change

There are a few stories in the Bible about people receiving new names. There was Abram who got the new name, Abraham. Then there was Jacob who got the new name, Israel.

 “What’s in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet. . .” says Juliet in Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. Is that really true?

I wonder, what was the response of Abraham and Israel’s families when they told them that they now had new names. Was it treated as an everyday experience or did their families get excited and ask to be told the story behind the event? After hearing the story did they watch these individuals trying to determine whether the new names had “taken”? Was Abraham really different from what he used to be? Did Jacob show any signs of being changed? Did the change of names affect how the individuals felt about themselves? Did they feel an obligation to “represent” to the world?

What of us? When we tell our neighbors, co-workers, family that we are now Christians, do they look for a difference (positive or negative) in our behavior? Do we feel obliged to show-off or represent Christ? What does that new behavior look like? As in the prayer of Saint Francis of Assisi, do we aspire to bring the blessings of peace, hope, forgiveness, kindness that change the atmosphere of our surroundings, or do we belie the name by living joyless, anxious, desperate lives?  Are we as prejudiced, vindictive, and distrusting as everyone else, or are we compassionate and fair-minded? Do we seek to console and encourage the downcast or do we wade with them in muddy pools of despair? Do we bring light to heated arguments replacing angry words with insights that calm the waters and bring understanding and forgiveness?

As we intentional represent to our neighbors, friends and family the positive, joy-filled attitudes that rise above and overcome daily problems, that replace sadness with joy, and give hope for despair; there is a promise of daily strengthening to make such efforts possible. The Book of Revelation says that along with deepening faith and strength (manna) to overcome we will receive new names,

“. . . To him who overcomes I will give some of the hidden manna to eat. And I will give him a white stone, and on the stone a new name written which no one knows except him who receives it.”” Revelation 2: 17. 

Today’s Goal: To bring peace, joy, understanding, and forgiveness into all my interactions today.