Own It
His real name was Carroll.
But he went by Alex…short for Alexander, which was his middle name.
He hated his first name.
In a small way, he could understand why his parents named him Carroll. It was his dad’s name…and his grandfather’s…and his great grandfather’s. So, I guess it was natural for him to be named Carroll too. He was the oldest son after all. But jeez. Carroll was a girl’s name.
Carroll Alexander Murphy IV.
His parents always tried to teach him to be proud of his name. “You have a great family heritage, son.” His dad always said. “You should be proud of that! Your great-grandfather made a name for himself when he came to this country. And it was this name. Your grandfather proudly carries it, and I proudly carry it. You have great potential, son. Your name is part of that.”
He never actually met his great-grandfather. He’d only seen pictures. But he knew his grandfather. He loved his grandfather. “Big-D”, he called him. And he was big, but not in a fat way. In a 6 foot 3, 250 pound, ex-college wrestler way! His dad was tall too. But for some reason the big and tall gene skipped him. He wouldn’t have minded his name so much if it hadn’t.
He often wondered if he was adopted.
“No, son. You’re not adopted. You are your mother’s and my child,” his dad said every time he asked. “You just need to grow, mature a bit. You’ve got great potential, son.”
His dad always said that. “You’ve got great potential. You just need to mature a bit.”
One day he asked him what that meant.
“You were given a name when you were born into this family, son. It’s a name that has been handed down from generation to generation and one that has great meaning and worth connected to it. And you have deep family roots. Roots that are strong, firm and solid, because they are founded on what your great grandfather started and worked hard for many years ago. What he instilled in your grandfather, what your grandfather instilled in me, and what I am trying to instill in you, is this truth, that if you want to live a purpose-filled life in this world…if you want to grow and become mature…if you want to reach your full potential. Then you have to be willing to own your name, son.”
“You are a Carroll. It is what you are. It means ‘fierce in battle’, it is full of strength, wisdom, and unwavering faithfulness. Your great grandfather emptied himself out building this family. He died leaving only his name. Your grandfather continued with that name, with that same focus and determination…continued to be faithful, steadfast, and strong. He did, and is still doing what it takes, including making sacrifices along the way to be the man he needs to be.
I can only hope to be as good of a man as he is. And it is my prayer that someday, you will be that same kind of man too, son.
That’s what it means to own your name.”
Wow.
He had never thought of it that way before. Never knew it meant so much.
And something stirred inside him.
Deep down.
Inside his heart.
“But now thus says the Lord, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: ‘Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine’.”
Isaiah 43:1
That’s where it’s supposed to start. That’s where it happens. In your heart.
When you truly understand that you are eternally secure in Christ. Rooted in him. Nurtured. Fed by him. When he becomes your source and supply for daily life. Then you’re ready.
Ready to start your spiritual growth.
The only question now is, are you willing? Are you willing to do what it takes to become mature? To reach your full potential?
You were given a name when you came to Christ.
Own it.
Dear Father. Oh, to be called a child of the King! Thank you Lord for calling me your child! Thank you for being such a gracious and loving Father. Give me the courage to always take a stand as your child. Give me the courage to own my name! Amen.
