In retirement I restarted an old hobby of nature photography and I especially enjoy photographing birds. There are so many colors, sizes, shapes, and “personalities.” As I looked at the Eastern Bluebird above it struck me: who was the creative person that named it? Couldn’t they think of something more challenging than “Bluebird”? But I cannot produce something more creative either. Bluebird is quite appropriate, and you know exactly which one is the Bluebird when someone says, “There is a Bluebird.”
As parents we name our children. My name is Jay, and it means chatterer. Even though I am a junior, everyone who knows me says I am appropriately named.
In the Bible, many individuals had God change their name. Abram and Sarai became Abraham and Sarah. Jacob became Israel. Peter became Cephas. Saul became Paul. And as followers of Christ, we take another name: Christian. As my given name appropriately describes me as a chatterer, I must daily ask myself if the name Christian is a true description of me. Do I act like a Christian? Would others identify me as a Christian? If I would appear in court and be accused of being a Christian, is there enough evidence to convict me?
In today’s world it is hard to tell if someone is really what they appear to be. Why? People are posers. I can dress like a cyclist but have never ridden a bike in my life. You can buy the finest tennis outfits and look like you know what you are doing in tennis. But it does not mean you would even know where to begin playing tennis. Therefore, I must ask the puzzling question: Am I really a Christian or am I just a poser?
To be a Christian, I must commit myself to be a follower of Christ no matter what He may call me to or what the cost may be. In Luke 9:23 Jesus says, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.” Taking the name of a Christian means I must be willing to accept my cross DAILY and follow Him wherever He may lead me and whatever He may be calling me to do. And that can only be done by faith.
Following Jesus is not walking by sight. It is walking by faith in Him every day of our lives.
When it comes to being a Christian, am I the real thing or just a poser?
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