My younger daughter often asks me, “Daddy, what is your name?” And before I could answer, she would quickly mention my name, most times, putting “Pastor” in front of it. I, in turn, would ask her, “What’s your name?” I’m always fascinated with the precision and audacity with which she mentions her name. Nobody can confuse her about it. She knows her name.

Friend, do you know your name? By the way, I’m not necessarily referring to what you were called at birth. I’m talking about what God calls you, and what you respond to in destiny. The truth is, names are not ordinary. Names reveal identity. Names communicate purpose and assignment. Names prophesy your future.

No matter what you have been named from birth or what people call you, God has a name for you. It’s okay if this name coincides with what you were called at birth. But if not, you have got to make the decision to go by what God calls you. Remember that God promises that, “…You will be called by a new name that the LORD himself will give you” (Isaiah 62:2).

God is still in the business of calling people by a new name. Most times, before a great person is born, God often gives their name in advance (Luke 1:13, 31). John was almost called after the limitations of his father’s house (Zechariah), not until his parents insisted otherwise (Luke 1:59-65). They would not allow their son to be named contrary to his destiny. Let me ask you, “who is naming you contrary to your destiny?”

A lot of people have been named after the circumstances of their birth or after their ancestry. Jabez, by circumstance, was named “pain” (1 Chronicles 4:9-10). Ichabod was born during one of the worst seasons in Israel; “the glory had departed” (1 Samuel 4:19-22). Blind Bartimaeus’ identity was swamped in the ocean of his life’s problem (Mark 10:46). Till today, nobody knows his real name. He was called, “Blind son of Timaeus” (Blind Bar Timaeus).

Elizabeth was called, “Barren” despite the fact that, by destiny, she would give birth to the greatest prophet, John (Matthew 11:11, Luke 1:36). Let me ask you, “what are you called?” Is it after your circumstances or after your destiny? You need to reject whatever name is contrary to your God-ordained destiny and start responding to what God calls you. You are who God says you are! Amen!

© ‘Demola Awoyele
Lead Pastor,
Destiny Impact Church
Akure, Nigeria