What's in a name?

I'm reading an awesome book, which was given to me by my friends Jake and Julie, called The Supernatural Ways of Royalty, by Kris Vallotton and Bill Johnson. It was sweet- I was reading a chapter in it today that exactly went along with something I was blogging about a couple days ago. As Vallotton says, "You can't afford to think differently about your life than God does."



The people around you will call you different names during your life, some encouraging, some discouraging. We need to meditate on what He calls us, though. The name He has given me is my one true name. It's who I really am.

Vallotton also writes, "Names can be prophetic declarations that define a person's identity. Because people act according to who they believe they are, these lies are ultimately acted out in their behavior." Be careful of the names you call other people- especially when you're "just joking"- lazy, selfish, fat, annoying, dumb, ugly...

Unfortunately, many people don't know who they are. They go looking for themselves in the world. "Many people learn to derive their self-esteem from what they do. This may seem fine for a while if they can perform well. When they can't perform anymore, for whatever reason, their self-esteem goes into the pit." Someone close to me has struggled with this issue for a long time. She often only sees her failures and limitations. She doesn't realize that she's worth others' admiration and affection just by being herself, because she's a daughter of the King.

I have certain skills, goals, and dreams right now. Sometimes I'm afraid I'll lose them- because of a freak accident, because of disease, because of old age, or maybe even just because I never get around to it. What if the things I see for my future just never happen?

I have to be careful not to define myself by certain names- sometimes even the good ones: teacher, daughter, sister, musician, artist... because what if I lose my parents? What if I lost my arm in a car accident? Would I fall apart and cease to be myself? No! At my core, I am and always will be a daughter of the Most High God, redeemed by His sacrifice and great love for me.