April 7, 2010
John 1
Pastor Stan Wilson
What do you think about your name? Maybe you’re pleased or you may have asked, “What were my parents thinking?” Is your name too plain? Too old fashioned?
Maybe your name’s like tiles on a Scrabble board…adding one letter changes everything. I’ll never forget the day that my son, Adam, came home a bit distressed from school. He explained tearfully that someone had added the letter “M” to the front of his name so that instead of “Adam” he was called “Madam.” He was devastated.
Personally, I never liked my given name, “Stanley.” On my first day of college, I seized the opportunity to make a change. When asked by the professor what I’d like to be called, I dropped the “ley” and became known confidently as Stan. That name has followed me to this day.
In John chapter 1, we read about one of the great name changes reported in the Bible. Upon meeting Simon, Jesus saw much more in this fisherman than what was revealed in his given name. Jesus saw the man who would be a foundation of the Church and changed his name to Peter, the Rock (see verse 42).
It’s comforting to know that when Jesus looks at me, He sees much more than what is revealed in my given name. I have a sense of awe when I consider the great name change that He has bestowed on me. When I think about the fact that He changed my name from “lost” to “found,” from “dead in sin” to “alive in Him” and from “rejected” to “accepted” - a new confidence arises within me.
If you need a confidence boost, why not take some time to consider the name change that Jesus has bestowed on you? It will follow you all the days of your life.
Did you know? Pastor Stan and his wife Cammie share a heart for London, England. Since 1998, they have trained and led more than 200 high school and college-age students into the center of the city for evangelistic and discipleship outreaches.
