Devotional
Names carry incredible power. In ancient cultures, your name wasn’t just what people called you – it was your entire story. The more significant your life, the more names you accumulate. Roman emperors collected names like badges of honor, each one representing their conquests and achievements. But here’s the profound truth: whatever names you, owns you. When your identity becomes wrapped up in your job title, your bank account, your relationships, or your achievements, you become enslaved to those things. The rich man in Jesus’ parable remains nameless because his wealth had consumed his identity so completely that he had no sense of self apart from his riches. This happens everywhere around us. Athletes struggle with depression when their careers end. Parents feel lost when their children leave home. Business owners don’t know who they are when they retire. Why? Because they allowed temporary things to define their eternal worth. Your name – your true identity – cannot be found in what you do, what you own, or what others think of you. These things are shifting sand, unreliable foundations that will eventually crumble. You were created for something far greater than the labels this world tries to place on you.
Bible Verse
‘For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.’ – Ephesians 2:10
Reflection Question
What temporary things in your life have you allowed to define your identity, and how might they be limiting who God created you to be?
Quote
Whatever names you, owns you.
-Pastor Jerry Madden
Prayer
Lord, help me recognize the false identities I’ve embraced and free me from anything that seeks to own me apart from You. Show me my true worth in Your eyes.