Perhaps few people ever looked beyond Candie’s condition to ask her name or interact with her. Our name and identity are vital to us. We are not just a number or a speck in this vast universe. God loves us and has a purpose and destiny for each individual. (Psalm 139) Our identity is important for it can define how we act and what we do in life. Sadly, many people have been given a negative or bad identity. A father, to a large degree, gives his son or daughter their identity. It can be either positive and affirming or negative and devastating. We tend to fulfill or live up to the identity we’ve been given.

Perhaps no one, like Jacob, knew the power of a name. Even as Jacob was being born, he grabbed the heel of his twin brother and tried to pull him back. His parents named him Jacob, which in the Hebrew means “cheat or supplanter”. For many years Jacob lived up to that name. (Genesis 25-31) Years later Jacob’s wife died after giving birth to their youngest son whom she named Ben-oni, which means “son of my pain or sorrow”. Jacob called him Benjamin “son of my right hand”. (Genesis 35:16-19)

After living many years estranged from his brother Esau, Jacob decided to risk going back home. As Jacob slept out under the stars, he had an encounter with the Angel of the Lord. Jacob wrestled with the Angel and vowed not to let him go until the Angel of the Lord blessed him. The Angel touched Jacob’s hip and knocked it out of socket. The Angel asked, “What’s your name?” He replied, “Jacob.” “Your name will no longer be Jacob,” the Angel told him, “It is now Israel.” Israel means “Prince with God”. (Genesis 32:22-32)

When Jacob surrendered to the Lord and confessed his name as Jacob – cheat and supplanter”, God changed his heart and identity. No longer would he see himself as a cheat and supplanter but as God saw him and called him – Israel, Prince with God.

Who do you see yourself as? What’s your identity? An encounter with the Lord Jesus can change your identity. “If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature, old things are passed away, behold, all things are new” (II Corinthians 5:17).

Peter was a volatile, wishy-washy man. But Jesus called him “Petros” – a rock. Jesus saw Peter as he could and would become. He affirmed his identity. Our true identity comes in Christ Jesus. The Lord knows your heart and He knows your potential and future. Don’t believe the “naysayers”; believe what God says about you. The more you know who you are in Christ, the more dynamic change and power for living you will have. What’s your name? Search and meditate on the Word of God. (John 1:12; Jeremiah 29:11; Romans 17-37; I John 3:1-3; Revelation 2:17)

Jesus was named before his birth of the Virgin Mary. The angel announced his birth and greatness. (Luke 1:31) “And she shall bring forth a son and you shall call his name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21). (Isaiah 7:14; 9:6) At his baptism and transfiguration, his Heavenly Father affirmed his identity. (Matthew 3:17; 17:5) When Jacob wrestled with the Angel of the Lord, he asked the Angel’s name. (Genesis 32) David had a revelation of His name. “May the name of the God of Jacob defend you” (Psalm 20:1, 7). What is His Son’s name? (Proverbs 30:4; Job 38:4) Jesus knew who He was. He was confident in His identity – the Son of God, the Savior, and the Messiah. (John 3:13-15; 11:25)

Are you confident in your identity? You can have a new name. As Jacob’s name and character was changed, so you can have a new name. Repentance and faith in Christ will bring a new spiritual birth. When John had a vision of heaven and the things to come, Jesus gave a promise to all who overcome by faith in His name. “To him that overcomes will I give to eat of the hidden manna and will give him a white stone and on the stone a new name written, which no man knows saving he that receives it” (Revelation 2:17).

What’s your name? Find and live up to your true identity in Christ. “For as many as received him gave he power (the right) to become children of God, even as many as believed in his name” (John 1:12).