Identity in Christ

This content is drawn from: John 1:35-50

“And he brought him 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 1:42

When so much of contemporary Christian culture is focused on being “seeker friendly,” we run the risk of forgetting who is seeking whom. Christ foreknew us and gave us a name even before He created the universe and everything in it. We are only able to come to Him after He first calls us.

On the boat ride to the summer camp where I would be volunteering for the next seven weeks as a camp naturalist, I was given a fitting camp name. “Nature Nate” would become the name called out by any child who wanted to ask a question or share a latest find from the beach or trails. It would not only become my name, but part of my identity, both on and off the island. My years as Nature Nate shaped so much of me, inside and out, that I still identify with my moniker.

Although none of us knows our heavenly name, Jesus knows us personally and has called us to pursue the truths He preached. His faithfulness to us is unwavering, and He will unceasingly pursue us even when we are distracted by the cares and woes of this world.

“Your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.” (Psalm 139:16)