This sermon was first preached on January 9/10, 2010 at First Lutheran Church in Kearney, NE.
Scripture: Luke 3:15-22
You know, when I was a kid, I used to get called “Thunder thighs.” Yeah, wasn’t one of the best names in the world to be called, and admittedly, once I started being called that – that was really how I began to see myself as well.
What we are called makes a difference in our lives. Let’s face it – people who are called loser, pathetic, no good, etc. all their lives eventually begin to see themselves as that and begin to live as though that were true. What people call us is what molds and shapes who we are. We may say “sticks and stones will break my bones but words will never hurt me,” but we know that’s not true. Words – and in particular names – are an integral part of our identity. It’s an integral part of how we relate to one another.
Scripture: Luke 3:15-22
You know, when I was a kid, I used to get called “Thunder thighs.” Yeah, wasn’t one of the best names in the world to be called, and admittedly, once I started being called that – that was really how I began to see myself as well.
What we are called makes a difference in our lives. Let’s face it – people who are called loser, pathetic, no good, etc. all their lives eventually begin to see themselves as that and begin to live as though that were true. What people call us is what molds and shapes who we are. We may say “sticks and stones will break my bones but words will never hurt me,” but we know that’s not true. Words – and in particular names – are an integral part of our identity. It’s an integral part of how we relate to one another.
