Changed My Name
Years ago, I had a bright, ambitious student whose name was Tang. Occasionally, others would kid him about his name because it reminded them of an orange-flavored beverage that astronauts used to drink. He took the kidding in stride, though as a native of Vietnam, he probably didn't understand the joke.
He has since become a Benedictine monk, and was given the name Joseph. I saw him recently and greeted him warmly as "Tang." In his gentle way, he corrected me and told me his name is Brother Joseph. When a person joins the Benedictine Order, he is given a new name, a new identity in Christ.
One does not have to join a religious order to change names. Many women and men change their names when they marry. They want to be forever identified with their beloved. Each has a new identity in the other.
Our names sum up who we are. If our identity changes, then it seems logical that so too our names would change. There is scriptural precedence for this practice. "But Saul, also known as Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit . . ." (Acts 13:9). After Saul met Jesus on the Damascus road he was a new man with a new heart. The old man with the old beliefs was a thing of the past. He believed that this new man with a new heart required a new name.
Similarly, Simon was tapped for a new identity when Jesus said to him, "And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church" (Matthew 16:18).
Even Jesus was given a new title and a clarification of his identity on the day of his baptism. "And a voice came from heaven, 'You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased'" (Luke 3:22).
Our faith in Jesus continually challenges us to transform ourselves, to be rooted in Christ, identified with Christ. Artist Tom Kendzia understands this in his arrangement of the African-American spiritual Changed My Name.
In the tradition of a spiritual, each line is repeated using an unhurried, swaying melody. For the sake of space, let me give you the key line from each of the four verses.
I told Jesus it would be all right if he changed my name (repeat 3 x).
Jesus told me that the world would be against me if he changed my name (repeat 3 x).
Jesus told me I would have to work for justice if he changed my name (repeat 3 x).
I told Jesus it would be all right if he changed my name (repeat 3 x).
When you pray your way through this song and reach the final verse, you suddenly realize that you are making a profound profession of faith which, if taken seriously, could have extraordinary consequences in ordinary life.
The lesson here is simple, yet profound. If we choose to associate ourselves with Jesus, we must not only be prepared to change the things we do, but we must be prepared to change who we are. You and I may not have our names changed, but the challenge is still there: how are you and I identified as believers in Christ?
If Jesus wanted to change your name today, would it be all right?
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Spirit Compass reflections are developed in partnership
with the Center for Ministry Development.
