The Only Title That Matters

“Daughter,” he said to her, “your faith has made you well. Go in peace.”

I recently read a story about how companies are getting more creative in their job titles. Some of the strangest examples included Chief Troublemaker, Galactic Viceroy of Research Excellence, Innovation Sherpa, and Wizard of Lightbulb Moments.^a

While most of us will never add Digital Overlord or Paranoid-in-Chief to our résumé, we can find ourselves defined by other titles: Student. Neighbor. Spouse. Colleague. Parent. Sister. Friend. Though some titles can be a source of joy, others may feel constricting. We can become overwhelmed by the expectations that accompany the labels thrust upon us.

But all of those titles are simply facets of who we are. Our complete, true identity is primarily and always found in Jesus. Made in his image, we are children of God.

We are reminded of this God-given label in the Gospel of Luke. The author tells the story of a woman who has been bleeding for the past twelve years. As Jesus passes by, she touches the hem of his garment. Despite being surrounded by a crowd of people, he notices. Immediately, he stops and asks who touched him. Trembling with fear, she admits that not only is she the one who did so but that by touching his garment, she has been instantly healed.

All of that is miraculous, but what Jesus does next is equally remarkable. Speaking with kindness, he calls her “daughter”—the only time recorded in Scripture that he uses this term with an individual woman—and tells her to go in peace. At that moment, Jesus’ words reveal his loving view of the woman. He is not put off by what she has faced or the desperation she reveals in touching his hem. Instead, he is moved to compassion. He sees her as a daughter, worthy of love and acceptance. His words not only offer hope and healing, they also offer an identity rooted in him.

Our ultimate identity is found in Jesus. He can and does define us through the lens of love—as his child: loved, accepted, forgiven.

Kristin

Today’s Act of Gratitude

Write a list of the titles you bear. Now, cross them out and write “daughter” over them. Praise Jesus that your identity is found wholly in him, embodied by the title you bear.