My Name Meant “Ugly”
The “Red-Letter” Words of Jesus
Day Five
And he [Andrew] brought him to Jesus. Now
when Jesus looked at Him, He said, "You are Simon the son of Jonah. You shall be called Cephas" (which is translated, A Stone). John 1:42 (NKJV) [Italics mine]
A stone?
Jesus called Simon immovable and steadfast? Simon probably felt hesitant about
receiving such a name since he knew himself all too well…hot-headed, impetuous
and reactionary. These traits were a part of his character and, throughout the
gospels, we see them on numerous occasions.
When
I was born, I had wrinkled red skin and bright curly red hair. When people checked
out the baby in the buggy they’d gasp, “Oh my!” My grandfather called me
“Lollipop” because he said I looked like a red sucker. After two weeks, the
“pop” was dropped and I’ve been “Lollie” ever since. For years when people
asked me what my name meant, I responded with “ugly.”
As a
child, I experienced major rejections resulting in extreme insecurities.
Several years ago, during a prayer service, God ministered to the emotional
wounds I carried. One of the things He did was to change the meaning of my
name. He said I was never supposed to be called “ugly” but “Father’s
compassionate princess.” Healing came when I saw myself through His eyes.
Only
the meaning of my name changed. However, Jesus completely changed Simon’s to “Cephas”
in Aramaic (“Peter” in Greek) “which is translated a stone.” As in a large
boulder. Immovable. Strong. Steadfast.
God
sees in us what we can’t see in ourselves. In my insecurities, I struggled to look
beyond “ugly” to see a godly woman full of compassion. Jesus did see me that
way. He also saw in Peter who he was to become. Through the work of the Holy
Spirit, he became a rock; a powerful, stabilizing leader in the New Testament
church.
Do you
struggle seeing yourself as Jesus sees you? Is God wanting to change your name?
Trust Him to fulfill who He desires you to be by allowing the Holy Spirit to do
an inward work. Rest assured, He believes in you.
Father, You see in us what we can become in You. Thank You for not giving up on us. Thank You for believing the best in us. Show us how to become the persons you've called us to be. In Jesus' name, Amen.
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