When we arrived at our host in Medellín, I introduced myself as Megan and I remembered from their response that ‘Megan’ is a difficult name to pronounce for other languages. So I told them to call me Gabriela. This is what I had done when I lived in Spain, when I visited Turkey and occasionally when I traveled around Europe. So, my name is now Gabriela, even my squad mates I’m with are beginning to call me Gaby and I’m beginning to respond more to Gaby than Megan.
The ‘changing’ of my name made me consider our names. Our earthly parents have given us a name to go by on earth and we view that as our only name sometimes. Although our earthly names are beautiful and uniquely for us, I believe God has a different name for us. A name that is full of power and rooted in our identity in Him.
A few years ago, the Father gave me a name that I cling to in times of trouble, difficulties, and insecurities.
He has called me His BRAVE DAUGHTER.
No matter what happens here on earth, I have a heavenly Father who is fighting for me, watching over me, loving me, and desiring to know my heart—I am DAUGHTER.
He has called me into situations of discomfort in order to grow me and draw me closer to Him—I am BRAVE.
I can change my earthly name as much as I want but my name, my identity, with my Father will always be constant. He may add to it out of His grace, but He will never take it away. In His eyes I will always be His brave daughter and for that I am grateful.
I encourage you to find your identity in Christ…in His overwhelming power and goodness.
You may feel unnoticed at times and that your name is forgotten and means nothing to those around you, but your God-given name will never be forgotten by God. You are priceless, treasured, loved, cherished, beautiful/handsome, one-of-a-kind and unique.
Ask the Lord to reveal HIS name for you.
