Remember Who Your Are...

 

Man Calls You by Where You Came From. God Calls You by Who You Are.

By Dr. JK Woodall

We’ve all been called things that define where we came from—our family name, our past mistakes, or where we grew up. But God doesn’t see us through those labels. He sees us through purpose.

In three of the Gospels, one of Jesus’ disciples is listed as Bartholomew, which means “son of Talmai”. That’s all—just someone’s son. But in the Gospel of John, he’s called Nathanael, which means “God has given.”

Here’s what’s powerful: Bartholomew and Nathanael are the same person. But John, who emphasized Jesus as divine, records Jesus calling him by a heavenly name, not just a human one.

When Nathanael first hears about Jesus, he doubts: “Can anything good come from Nazareth?” (John 1:46). But Jesus doesn’t call out his doubt. Instead, He says:
“Here truly is an Israelite in whom there is no deceit.” (John 1:47, NIV)

Jesus saw Nathanael’s heart, not his hesitations. He spoke to the man’s true identity—not his upbringing.

We see this again in Mark 5:25–34. A woman suffered for 12 years. We don’t know her name. But after touching Jesus in faith, He calls her “Daughter.” That one word—spoken by the Son of God—restored her physically and relationally.

God is still doing this today. You might be known by your past, but God calls you by your purpose.

You are not just someone’s child or a product of your environment. You are who God says you are—chosen, loved, and called.

Declaration:
God knows my name. He sees who I am becoming—not just who I was. I am His.