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He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers I will give some of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, with a new name written on the stone that no one knows except the one who receives it.
Revelation 2:17
Don’t you want to know what it is? Your new name? A special name just between you and Jesus, as a secret you share? I so want to be renamed by God! Maybe that’s because I got such a goofy name to begin with. But I think it’s more than that. He knows what my name should be, what my name should say about who I am and that it should show the marks that I am His. In that Spirit(?!), He will name me for His own. It’s such a strange little detail, isn’t it? A new moniker on some granite just for you. I picture holding it my hand and examining it over and over, feeling its weight and the rough engraved letters that form my new identity.
There’s a weird moment in the Bible when God appears to some folks, to tell them about their soon-to-be miracle child. It’s one of those rare glorious appearances, and the old couple asks Him His name. And He says “you wouldn’t understand it.” I feel like that about this. I don’t really understand what it means, but I get one thing. A new secret name between Him and us means amazing intimacy. When I hear that heaven will be like that, it gives me a certain thrill. There’s a joy in all the multitudes and myriads and myriads of angels that are described in heaven. It sounds glorious and earthshaking! All of them praising together! But right alongside that, as if to comfort you sweetly with a whisper in your ear, there will also be these tender and sacredly personal moments with you and Jesus. That’s what this promises. And I can’t wait!