The Bible contains around 3,237 individual characters. Of these, only about 1,794 are mentioned by name.
To simply be referenced in the pages of Scripture is remarkable. But for the bible to record your actual name, that’s significant. Think about it: in a book of just 783,137 words, space was found to insert your name into history.
Consider the parable of Lazarus and the rich man. We know Lazarus by name, the poor man, the beggar. But the rich man? Despite all his wealth, his name goes unmentioned. His identity was so tied to his possessions that “the rich man” was considered description enough.
Then there’s Blind Bartimaeus. Strikingly, there is only one Bartimaeus in all of Scripture, yet his condition became his label. His blindness preceded his name. He was not just Bartimaeus — he was Blind Bartimaeus.
Yet, everything changed the day he encountered Jesus.
The label that had defined him began to fall away. His story did not end with what others called him; it turned at the point of divine encounter.
Maybe you, too, carry a subtle, unwanted label, a tag that precedes your name. Perhaps it’s failure, regret, addiction, shame, or simply being “the one who never quite measures up.” But labels are not destinies. Like Bartimaeus, one true encounter can mark the beginning of a new story.
History doesn’t remember Bartimaeus for his condition, instead it remembers him for his courage to break through the noise and claim a moment that could change his life.
Be bold enough to cry out, brave enough to seek, and wise enough to recognize the moment when your story can change.
Have an amazing week ahead.
2 thoughts on “Your Name, Your Story”
Boldness, Bravery, & Wisdom.
Powerful. Thanks