My Nicknames

Nicknames are a big thing in my family, or at least, I love to give and get them. I have many names: Tiffany, Tiff, TT, Tip, Tippy, Tiffer, Tiffers, Fanny Tifton....and the list goes on and gets increasingly more and more embarrassing. Don't get any ideas - these names, if used by the wrong person, can produce a rather negative response.

I'm sure when my mother named me she never thought my name would be twisted into the nickname Fanny Tifton. Well Mom, it happened. I actually love the name my parents gave me. Tiffany means "Appearance of God" and has always challenged me to be a woman who is just that. It tells perfectly my desire for less of me and more of Him.

Of all the names I have been called, I like Teacher the best. I hear this name over and over on Tuesday evenings while I serve with the Preschool and Kindergartners at my church. Hearing their little voices call me "Teacher" is, perhaps, the most amazing sound in the world. I could never put into words the joy that fills my heart every time I hear it.

Last year, at Clubhouse Kids, we memorized Colossians 3:12 "Therefore as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience." Of course these words were put into a song we would sing, complete with hand motions, that will never leave my mind - ever!

The English Standard Version of this verse uses the words chosen, holy, beloved. They are three words I have spent a significant amount of time reflecting on. I've written them in large letters on the inside cover of my journal and I repeat them over and over when Satan tries to convince me I am some other name. 

Chosen - Holy - Beloved

Back in the day I was obsessed with Grey's Anatomy. I watched faithfully every Thursday night and usually cried my way through every episode. I'll never forget when Meredith Grey asked McDreamy to "pick me, choose me, love me." He had to make a choice between her and another woman. That scene is burned in my mind...Meredith begged and I cried. What girl doesn't long to be chosen? To be picked and loved above all others? I don't even want to admit to you how many times I've been standing in front of a man, fearful he won't pick me, and pleading (usually in my mind, cuz it's embarrassing to actually beg) for him to "pick me, choose me, love me." Obviously, he didn't choose me.

It took me a long time and a lot of heartbreak before I finally realized - Jesus has picked me, chosen me, loved me. I don't even have to beg! He chose me before I chose Him. Loved me before I loved Him. Died for me when I was "yet a sinner!" When I was ugly and sinful He reached down and loved the unlovable, the broken and sinful mess that was me.

Are you hearing this?!? This is big and it doesn't end here! He has chosen me, loved me, AND made me holy! Wait. What?!?

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold the new has come." 2 Corinthians 5:17-18 

"Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit..." 1 Corinthians 6:19

If only it was actually possible to put into words what this truth means to me! This identity as His. Not only chosen and loved but also given Jesus' righteousness. A new creation - a temple for the Holy Spirit. God dwells in me. Holy. Set apart. His.

Chosen. Holy. Beloved.

Next time Satan tries to give you names of some other kind remind him of the nicknames Jesus died to give you, and then tell him to take a hike.

And if any of you find yourself standing in front of a man begging him to "pick you, choose you, love you" I suggest you turn around and walk away. Until someone is willing to pick you like Christ picked you, he isn't worth your time.