Livin Lively

By Peggy Lively

There is a beautiful Bed and Breakfast named Whitestone Country Inn located near the Smoky Mountains in Tennessee. As guests check in, they each receive a small, smooth white stone. The significance of this stone comes from a Bible verse found in the book of Revelation:  He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will give some of the hidden manna. I will also give him a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to him who receives it. (Revelation 2:17)

Many times throughout the Bible God appears and gives someone a new name. In Genesis, He changed Abram’s name to Abraham. “No longer will you be called Abram; your name will be Abraham for I have made you a father of many nations.” (Genesis 17:5) He also changed Abraham’s wife’s name: “God also said to Abraham, ‘As for Sarai your wife, you are no longer to call her Sarai; her name will be Sarah.  I will bless her and will surely give you a son by her. I will bless her so that she will be the mother of nations; kings of peoples will come from her.’” (Genesis 17:15-16) God had done the miraculous in their lives. He took a barren elderly couple and made them the Father and Mother of many nations. To signify this life-changing miracle, He gave them new names, new titles, a new calling.

Jacob was another man who encountered God and received a new name. One night, he wrestled with God all night, and as day began to break, He said, “Your name will no longer be Jacob,” the man told him. “From now on you will be called Israel, because you have fought with God and with men and have won.”  “Please tell me your name,” Jacob said. “Why do you want to know my name?” the man replied. Then he blessed Jacob there. Jacob named the place Peniel (which means “face of God”), for he said, “I have seen God face to face, yet my life has been spared.” What an incredible experience to wrestle with God, see Him face to face and be blessed by Him. An experience that left Jacob changed for the rest of his life.

Saul also had a life changing experience with God on the road to Damascus (Acts 9:4-9). God spoke to Saul and his whole life mission and purpose changed. And from that moment on he is referred to as Paul. He had received a new identity, a new calling for his life.

When Andrew met Jesus, “The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon and tell him, ‘We have found the Messiah’ (that is, the Christ). And he brought him [Simon] to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, ‘You are Simon son of John. You will be called Cephas (which, when translated, is Peter)’”. (John 1:41-42) Another name change, another significant moment. Meeting Jesus, the Messiah, for the first time. Have you met Him? 

All of these people had an encounter with God, a life-changing moment, and were never the same again. They were given a new name, a new beginning, a new calling. He promises to do this for anyone who believes in Him and follows Him. “Anyone who believes in Christ is a new creation. The old is gone! The new has come!” (II Corinthians 5:17)

Do you need a fresh start, a new identity, a new purpose? Trust in Him and follow Him. He can do the miraculous in your life, and you will never be the same again. What should you be called?

How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! (I John 3:1)