A New Name

by Jane Josephs

“To those who are victorious, I will give…each of them a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to the one who receives it.” –Rev. 2:17b

Last month our family celebrated four birthdays: my brother-in-law in Ohio, and locally my son, his daughter, and his mother-in-law. Along with the usual cards and gifts, we marked the occasion with brunch, swimming, cake, brownies, and pumpkin pie (my son’s favorite). It was a great reminder of how special each of us is to God.

The most notable birthday celebration in the Bible, of course, is Jesus’s. Most of us have closets full of decorations that help us give full measure to the occasion each year, and some of us delight in shopping year-round for just the right gifts for those special people in our life. But gathering with my family last month reminded me that birthday celebrations ground us in the reality of who we are. We are given a name at birth, and God knows it. He also knows about the white stone with the “new name” Jesus will give us one day.

“There’s a new name written down in glory, and it’s mine, yes it’s mine,” the old song goes. Charity Gayle recorded an updated new version that follows the declaration with, “I’ve met the Author of my story, and he’s mine, yes he’s mine.” And in a real tongue twister she declares, “I am who I am because the I Am tells me who I am.”

The Apostle Paul declared our identity, too: “If anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come” (2 Cor. 5:17a). Whether celebrating our physical birth or the new birth we have in Jesus, marking special events reminds us that life is precious and so are the people in our lives, like you! I hope you have a very happy birthday this year!

Heavenly Father, You rejoice over us with singing, and delight to call us Your children. Thank You for giving us life! May we always remember who we are and Whose we are. In Your name we pray, Amen.