SPIRITUAL MEASLES

This morning a reading from Oswald Chambers caught my attention.

"You are Simon . . . . You shall be called Cephas" (John 1:42). God writes our new name only on those places in our lives where He has erased our pride, self-sufficiency, and self-interest. Some of us have our new name written only in certain spots, like spiritual measles. And in those areas of our lives we look all right. When we are in our best spiritual mood, you would think we were the highest quality saints. But don’t dare look at us when we are not in that mood. A true disciple is one who has his new name written all over him— self-interest, pride, and self-sufficiency have been completely erased.  (Utmost for His Highest, June 12)

Have you ever wondered about your “new name" and what it might mean?  For me, a new name indicates a new identity.  The old has passed away and a new life has begun.

But here is what really struck me in this passage:  “But don’t dare look at us when we are not in that [best spiritual] mood.”  It brings up the question, how much of my spiritual identity is only a mask?  What am I like when I haven’t had much sleep, when my legs and back ache from carrying groceries, when delays side track my plans? 

Lord, write my new name deep in my heart so that it will penetrate my whole being, changing me from the inside out, bringing glory to YOUR name!