Ten years ago we adopted an abandoned dog after we said goodbye to our beloved canine friend Hannah. The new puppie’s foster name “Savannah” was just too close to Hannah so we began brainstorming other possibilities. After some debate we settled on Maggie.
There was only one problem with the new moniker. Our puppy would not respond to her new name. It wasn’t unexpected. After all, she had been dubbed Savannah by the adoption center. Perhaps she had a different name before she found herself lost in the Texas countryside. Now we were trying to saddle her with a third name in less than a year of life. No wonder she was confused!
We concentrated on teaching the puppy her new name. “Maggie, come!” We gave her treats when she came when called and praised her profusely. We did all the things the dog training websites suggest to introduce a rescued puppy into a new environment. No matter what we tried, Maggie seemed to choose if, and when, she would respond to her name. It was frustrating to see her look in our direction when we called her and, a moment later, wander off with apparent disinterest.
Later I realized I had just learned my first lesson from my new canine mentor that I wrote about in Stay: Lessons My Dogs Taught Me about Life, Loss, and Grace. I realized I sometimes do the same thing with God. I was given a new name and identity when I put my faith in Jesus as my Savior. My new identity, mentioned several times in the New Testament, is “child of God.”
But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God.
(1 John 1:12, NLT)
For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God.
So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God’s Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, “Abba, Father.” For his Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God’s children. (Romans 8:1-16, NLT)
You are all children of God through faith in Christ Jesus. (Galatians 3:26, NLT)
Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has become a child of God. And everyone who loves the Father loves his children, too. (1 John 5:1, NLT)
So who am I? Former Texas Ranger’s TV director? Author of modestly successful books? Husband of Joni? Longtime church goer? Father of three outstanding men? Ridiculously proud grandfather? Executive Member of Costco? Perpetually frustrated Cleveland Browns fan? All those things define me to some degree. But the one thing that should define me but I easily forget is that I am a child of God. Just like Maggie, sometimes I respond to my new identity and sometimes I just wander off thinking He must not be talking about me.
There is power in believing in a name. We rescued an abandoned puppy and gave her a new name. Jesus rescued me and the Father gave me a new name.
His child.
For an embarrassingly long time I reminded God of what I used to be and all that was wrong about me. I told Him I didn’t deserve to by His adopted child. But Jesus patiently reminded me that my spiritual DNA had been rewritten. That I was a new creation in Him. That I am holy. A saint. That I am a flawless child of God. Not because of anything I have done, am doing, or will ever do. It is because of what Jesus did for me on the Cross. When I believe what Jesus says is true about me, it dramatically changes how I live my life.
Maggie eventually learned her name with repetition, praise, and rewards. Our dog trainer gave us a great tip. “Never use her name for shaming or punishment. When you call Maggie, she should expect to play, get a treat, or to be loved. Every time she hears ‘Maggie’ it should be a party.”
I love that imagery for my journey with Jesus. When He calls my name, it is a party of grace, not of shaming or punishment. I am His beloved child. When He calls me it is for my good.
Dave Burchett is known in Heaven as a “child of God.” And I am finally putting my full weight on that truth.
