Messiah Complex

Messiah Complex

"What's in a name? That which we call a rose

By any other name would smell as sweet."

The Artist Usually Known as Shakespeare

Once again, my home state of Tennessee has made international news. ("US judge changes baby's name from Messiah to Martin", http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-23665106#TWEET853609)

This is hardly surprising news from the state in which our children were born, neither of which, by the way, are named, Messiah… or Madonna, Jesus (pronounced Hey-soos), Emmanuel, Joshua, Moses, Eve, Mary, Lucifer, Mohammad, Vishnu, Gautama, or Methuselah.

The judge in the case decided, apart from the appropriation of the religious title, that in rural, predominantly Christian Cocke County the child would suffer ridicule because of his name. 

Which got me thinking about all the children who've suffered ridicule because of their names. Really, wouldn't all the seven year-old boys named Peter have wished a compassionate judge would have at least warned their parents?

I'm the third generation of males in my family line with precisely the same name. I'm a third. Not a junior, nor a senior, but a third. I wonder, have I lived up to my name? Have I returned honor to my father and grandfather, and my great-grandparents who originally chose the name? 

What's your name? What's its meaning? Have you lived up to what you're called? 

In his letter to the Ephesians, the Apostle Paul writes, "I… beg you to lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called…"

Paul isn't talking about the name we're called. (BTW, he had at least two names, Paul and Saul, depending on his travel agenda). Paul was talking about our calling, as in, the purpose and actions our lives produce.

"I… beg you to lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, making every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace." (Eph 4:1-3). 

So, whether you're called Messiah, or think you're the Messiah, what matters is the humility, gentleness, patience, and love your life produces as an answer to the calling of God.

No matter what your name is, how have you lived up to this calling, today?