So he said to him, “What is your name?” And he said, “Jacob.” He said, “Your name shall no longer be Jacob, but Israel.” Genesis 32:27-28.

I recently attended a Christian retreat at the Billy Graham Training Center at the Cove in Asheville. I was by myself and didn’t know any of the other attendees. It was a little awkward and I felt lonely at first, but we all wore tags with our names and the cities where we live printed on them. These were fun conversation starters that helped us get to know each other rather quickly. 

One person said to me, “Hi, Elizabeth. I won’t forget your name. That’s also my mother’s name.” Another asked, “Oh, I see you’re from Chapel Hill. How far is that from here?”

Throughout the week, I had many encounters like this, and we began to be transformed from strangers to friends. Even better, I was meeting brothers and sisters in Christ who I didn’t know before!

It can be such a gift to be seen and known by others, but no earthly friendship can compare with being known by our Father in Heaven. In fact, He knows us better than anyone else ever could — and He loves us anyway!

In the book of Genesis, when we first meet Isaac’s son Jacob, we learn that his name means,

“supplanter” or “deceiver.” And he lived up to it. He tricked his brother Esau (Gen. 25:29-35). He lied to his father (Gen. 27:18-25). After being cheated by his father-in-law, Laban, he schemed to deceive him in return (Gen. 31:20-21).

Then, in Genesis 32, Jacob is given a new name. After a lifetime of deceiving others, God offers him a new identity. He doesn’t let Jacob’s past define him; instead, He calls him Israel or “governed by God.” 

Isn’t it remarkable that God can look beyond our past and see our future? Isn’t it a blessing that we are not defined by the mistakes we made in the past but are given a new beginning? I don’t know about you, but I’m so grateful that I am not defined by my past because God sees me as a new creation in Christ.

He sees you that way, too. When we put our trust in Jesus, He gives us a new identity. We are adopted into an eternal family. We become sons and daughters of Almighty God. Our sins are forgiven and cast as far away as the east is from the west. We are cleansed by the blood that He shed on the cross to pay the penalty for our sins so we can be at peace with God who is holy, just — and astonishingly loving.

My name tag at The Cove made me feel welcome at the Christian retreat, but my new identity as a disciple of Jesus welcomes me into the presence of God. Amazing grace! How can anything compare?

Lord Jesus, thank you for making all things new! Today, would you help us live in light of who we are in You.