A new name
Be strong, and let your heart take courage,
All you who wait for the Lord. Psalm 31:24
Read Luke 1:57—63
Choosing a name for a child: who is he? Who is she? This one is John, ‘God’s gracious gift.’ Of course he is God’s gift. He was unexpected. But tell that to the neighbours. They just don’t get it. This child, they are sure, can only be Zechariah. Has to be because his father is. Has to be. That’s how it’s always been done around here. Are you saying he’s not his father’s son? Are you going to start doing it differently? Are you saying things are changing? Are you saying God is changing things? Are you not fitting in with us any more?
Father of all the families of the earth, you plan and purpose all things for their renewal. One day everything I take to be so conventional will somehow be transformed. My life in Christ promises me this. So much that I am used to will be changed. Even now there are things about my life in Christ that others do not understand or agree with or particularly tolerate. I pray about these matters, as I am aware of them. I wish to be true to you. I wish to be given courage. I wish to be humble before any who think I’m different. I don’t wish to put them off. I don’t want to be self-righteous. In fact I pray to be truly normal, a child of God living in simplicity, in obedience and gratitude, with a love of my neighbour. By your Spirit fill me for this purpose, the purpose of being truly, really normal.