Nicknames

Last Thursday we had “The Refuge” at our church, which is a dedicated time of worship, prayer and communion. As I was worshipping I thought again about the quote: “Prayer begins with a need and ends with a relationship.”

I was thinking how we all started with the same need: to be rescued, redeemed and redefined and how God answered with His love and grace!

That got me thinking about relationships and what a relationship with God looks like and acts like. I found myself praying that those in the room would know such a deep, personal relationship with God. I prayed that they would hear Him speak His love for them and give them a nickname.

As I prayed that I found myself smiling. I love nicknames. Growing up in my family, we all had nicknames and we all gave nicknames. I still give nicknames. To me, it’s less formal, more intimate.

For example: for a time I called my mom “Madre”, probably while taking Spanish, from there it morphed into “Midre” then into “Mid” and that was her name for a long time. Just go with it. I don’t know why.
And…
My sweet Uncle Bobby (my mom’s brother) called me “Jodi Beth” which is my name but it morphed into “Jodi Bath” which went to “Jodi Bathtub.” Bada Bing. Nickname. I always thought that could be a mafia killer’s name: Jodi “Bathtub” Mason. You know, like I always killed them in the bathtub or something. 🤷🏻‍♀️

All our kids and grandkids have nicknames. I love a good nickname!

Have you ever thought of asking God for a nickname?

When I pray or journal I always start with “Abba.” I may name some of His other Names during that time but it always starts with Abba (Dad/Daddy). He and I have been through so much together and I just love Him so much. From God I hear Daughter or JB, which is what my family sometimes calls, which is why I probably hear that. It’s familiar, safe, personal.
To me “Holy Spirit” is “Friend” because He has become that to me. We talk all day. He reminds me of something: “Thank You, Friend” or I will say: “Friend, I need help with ________” Or “Friend, can you show me________?”

”Throughout Scripture, the concept of identity or naming is very important to God.” (Jamie Winship)
Abram to Abraham
Sarai to Sarah
Jacob to Israel
Simon to Peter
James and John who Jesus nicknamed “Boanerges = Sons of Thunder”.
An encounter with God changes our identity!

Jesus always walked in who He was - His identity - but God proclaimed it to everyone else.

”In those days Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. And immediately coming up out of the water, He saw the heavens opening, and the Spirit, like a dove, descending upon Him; and a voice from the heavens: ‘You are My beloved Son; in You I am well pleased.’” (Mark 1:9-11 NASB)

Unlike us, who struggle with our true identity as a child of God, Jesus didn’t need God to affirm who He was for Himself, it was for the benefit of those there. We need to hear it. We need to believe it. We need to walk in it.

I think in order to get a nickname you need to have an inside joke, or a shared experience, or a level of closeness that only those in that circle get.
I’m not talking about name calling like when someone does something stupid and you call them a putz.
Name calling is what Satan does: “Stupid”, “Worthless”, “Loser” and we wear those as our names - our identities.
They. Are. Not.

Revelation says:

“He who has an ear, let him hear and heed what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes [the world through believing that Jesus is the Son of God],
to him I will give [the privilege of eating] some of the hidden manna,
and I will give him a white stone with a new name engraved on the stone which no one knows except the one who receives it.” 2:17 (Amplified)

* You who believe and overcome the world WILL be given a new name only you and God will know about, symbolizing a new, eternal identity and a deeper, personal relationship with God. Sounds like a nickname to me. 😄

My challenge to you this week is to ask God what He calls you. It may take a few times. You will need to be quiet, which is why it may take a bit. Don’t be discouraged or give up. AND don’t discount what you hear. Believe Him!

I hope you have an amazing day, child of God!
All My Love ~
Jodi xo

Don’t miss out! Subscribe below and receive our email. xo