Do You Have A Nickname?


When I was in the seventh grade I had an Algebra class. Our school system only had two schools. K-6 was the elementary school, and 7-12 was the high school. As a seventh grader we were pretty young in a sea of high schoolers. In my algebra class I had several seventh grade classmates along with a group of high school juniors and seniors. I’ve never really figured out if this meant those of us in seventh grade were really good in math or if they were really lousy? 

One day in class the girl in front of me, a junior or senior, turned around and asked me, “Hey Slim, you got a pencil I could borrow?” No one had ever called me Slim before. I would be called it every day for the next five years.

At first I didn’t like the nickname, I didn’t pick the nickname, but I couldn’t shake it. When I got my first car my friends called it the “Slim Mobile.” The only thing I did to get the nickname was be slim.

There’s a guy in the Bible who had a much better nickname. His name was Joseph, and he came from Cyprus. You know some people like Joseph. You invite them to everything. When they walk in you’re glad they’re there. When their name shows up on your caller ID you already feel better. We find him in the book of Acts.

“Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means "son of encouragement")” Acts 4:36

What an amazing nickname. Unlike me, he earned his.

“Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.” I Thessalonians 5:11

It’s a nickname we can all earn. It’s a nickname we are all called to earn. As you head out this week to work, to school, to church, and to wherever life takes you, let encouragement be your goal. 

And for the record, I lent her a pencil. I’m still waiting for her to give it back.

Following the Son,

James A Williams

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