by Kala Loptien

Our Identity

You can listen to today’s devotion by clicking the Sound Cloud link.

Have you ever wondered about your name? Maybe you inherited a legacy name. Maybe you’re tied to a Biblical individual? Perhaps, like me, your real name only appears on legal documents; and several nicknames have lovingly replaced the original.

Then, there are more serious situations when a name must be changed — for protection or a new beginning. I had this discussion with our daughter recently. At one point, she expressed a desire to have a new name. Her reasoning, wise beyond her years, was right on point. She wanted a new identity, away from the hurt, rejection, loss and sorrow tied to her name. One night, deep in thought, she posed the question: “Mommy, did you change your name when you were adopted?”

I took a big breath as I scrambled to collect my thoughts. We covered a range of topics that night. I explained that I had a loving and safe “first family.” That they were able to do their “parent job.” But the majority of our conversation centered around being part of God’s family. That in Jesus, we are sons and daughters of God through faith.

But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.
John 1:12-13 English Standard Version

According to His will, we were predestined for adoption (Eph 1:5). (I feel it’s important to note that while the context of adoption may have small parallels, the two scenarios are not synonymous.) God is our Creator, the Author and Hero of our story, Redeemer and Father. In Him, we are made new. In Him, our identity is sealed. He knows our history and He has all the plans for our future. We were chosen and adopted into the loving, saving family of the Lord. Because of Jesus, by His blood and through His name, we are healed. We are children of the one, true King — His forever family.

We didn’t change her first name, but we did add a new one in the middle: Grace.

Copyright Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Colorado Springs, Colorado