“….He’s calling us all by name…”   These words to a song at church reminded me that some people have been called hurtful names, even from a young age.  Names that have brought pain.  Names like rejected, ugly, worthless, failure, mistake.  These names became like labels, stuck with a glue that never seems to let go.  But these are just man’s labels, not God’s.

God wants to wash those labels off with the “goo gone” of His love so that not a trace remains.  But He doesn’t leave you without a name.  He applies these new names (labels) to you:  redeemed, chosen, beautiful, valuable, accepted, His son, His daughter.  These labels are permanent.  Don’t try to take them off or cover them up.

You may think they don’t fit you too well – that they are a little uncomfortable.  Don’t get discouraged.  They are like the coat that your mom bought you when you were a child.  It was 2 sizes too big and it didn’t fit you at the time.  She told you, “Just put it on and wear it.  You’ll grow into it.”  In time, you’ll grow into these names so that you’ll feel comfortable wearing them too.

“See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!”  1 Jn 3:1