Trail Names

Trail Names

11/17/15

(Topic of Choosing)

Recently, we have been discussing the idea of trail names that hikers receive while they are on the Appalachian Trail. I have a few friends that have hiked the trail and after discussing this idea further with them, I am very interested by this occurrence. 

What really stands out to me is that hikers are only given their trail names by others- not by themselves. Obviously, we have such a different view of ourselves from the perception others have. If I were to name myself, it would probably reflect what I hope to be rather than what I truly am. 

This made me think of how when we are adopted as sons and daughters of God, He in a sense, renames us. He does not see the ugliness of our past sins or cover us in guilt in shame. Rather, He call us His beloved children-His son, His daughter! However, a lot of the time, we forget our new identity that we have been given and try to name ourselves. We name ourselves as world things that we strive to be rather than resting in the joy of the name we have been given by our Father.