WEDNESDAY

John 1:11-13

• What does it mean to you that, as a Christian, you are called a child of God?

“Here are some nicknames for your friend named “Josh/Joshua.” The sandy blond stranger* on my screen offered. Sometimes, scrolling through TikTok long enough can make anything funny. As he began to list the nicknames, I wondered if they were truly funny, or if I’d been online for too long.

“Apple MacinJosh.”

“Josh Kosh B’Gosh.”

“Acid Josh Jeans.”

“Joshwaganda.”

“Peace and Joshsperity.”

“‘Shua.”

“Squashua.”

“Butternut Josh.”

I have a few nicknames close friends and family call me. If one day I weren’t able to recognize voices, I could tell, blindfolded, which family members are talking to me based on what name they called me.

Names mean a lot. The Bible calls us children of God—over and over and over again. I think the Bible wants to make sure that we know we are so much more than Lucy, Carter, Claire, Will, or Makena. We are each precious, unique, and beloved children of God. You are a child of God. And you are beloved.

*Creator is Paul Conway