June 24

Day 16: Honoring the Identity God Has Given Others

Theme: Identifying Relationship Triggers and Responses

📖 Scripture Readings:

• Isaiah 49:1–6 – “From my mother’s womb he gave me my name.”

• Psalm 139 – “You have probed me, you know me… I am wonderfully made.”

• Acts 13:22–26 – “Behold, one is coming after me.”

• Luke 1:57–66, 80 – “His name is John.”

Reflection:

Yesterday, we reflected on the importance of embracing our own God-given identity. Today, the readings invite us into the next movement: recognizing and honoring the identity God has given to others—even when it surprises us or challenges our expectations.

In the Gospel, Elizabeth and Zechariah affirm a divine naming: “He will be called John.” Despite what tradition expected, they make room for something new. And when Zechariah confirms this identity—“His name is John”—his voice is restored. It’s a moment of breakthrough, not just for Zechariah but for all who heard and witnessed the mystery. They began to ask, “What, then, will this child be?”

When we ignore or resist who God has called someone to be, we risk spiritual deafness or speechlessness in our own lives. Relationship triggers often surface when we cling to who we want someone to be instead of seeing them through God’s eyes. Whether it’s a child, a parent, a spouse, or a friend—each of us is called to make space for the identity God has spoken over others, even if it means releasing our assumptions or roles we’ve projected.

In Isaiah, we see God calling His servant from the womb, and Psalm 139 reminds us that God sees us completely—even the hidden places. These truths apply not just to us, but to everyone we encounter. In Acts, even John the Baptist embraces his role humbly, saying “I am not He”—pointing instead to the One greater than himself. What freedom there is in knowing who we are and who we are not.

Action/Practice:

Is there someone in your life whose identity you may be resisting, minimizing, or trying to shape? Ask God to help you see them through His eyes and to bless them by honoring who He created them to be.

Journal Prompt:

“What assumptions do I need to release in order to love someone more fully as they are? How can I become a blessing, not a barrier, to their calling?”

Daily Goal:

Make space today for another person to live out their calling—even if it’s unfamiliar or stretches you. Speak their name, their goodness, and their God-given identity out loud or in prayer.