“…if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: the old has gone, the new is here!” (2 Corinthians 5:17)
2 Corinthians 5:17 is my baptismal text. I sometimes reflect on just how true it is. My seminal encounter with God changed me completely. I am not now the man who met God that day. I am a whole new creation. I am a totally different man. That ‘old man’ is dead and buried. (Thank goodness!) Of course, I am not unique in such an experience. And lately I have been fascinated with just how many biblical characters are given new names after significant moments of encounter with God or calling by God. To pick out just a few: Abram and Sarai become Abraham and Sarah; Jacob becomes Israel; Hoshea, son of Nun, becomes Joshua; Saul becomes Paul; Simon becomes Peter. Some other name changes are imposed by human intervention yet encapsulate significant shifts of identity, of position, or of spirituality. Joseph, Hadassah and Daniel for example. These name changes reflect significant reshaping of character and circumstance. To encounter God is true transformational and life changing.
Reflect for a moment on what you were before you met God. Give thanks for the changes He has wrought. Embrace all that He is still doing in shaping a new identity and destiny.