Back to School: Called by a New Name
By Brandi Haskins, Walking As Ruth
The start of a new school year comes with all sorts of labels—grade levels, class lists, teams, schedules, name tags. Some labels excite us. Some weigh us down. But here’s the thing: God isn’t in the business of labels. He’s in the business of giving new names.
When God Renames
In Scripture, when God called someone into a new season, He often renamed them:
Abram → Abraham — “father of many nations” (Genesis 17:5)
Sarai → Sarah — “mother of nations” (Genesis 17:16)
Jacob → Israel — “one who struggles with God and prevails” (Genesis 32:28)
Simon → Peter — “rock” (John 1:42)
Saul → Paul — apostle to the Gentiles (Acts 13:9)
A new name wasn’t just a nice title—it was a declaration of identity, purpose, and destiny. God was saying, This is who I say you are now.
My New Name
Just recently, I asked God about my identity. Not in a general way, but for this season. His answer stunned me:
“You are a true mother of nations.”
Wow.
It stopped me in my tracks. I thought of Revelation 21:5 where God declares His words are “faithful and true.” I remembered how He renamed Sarah, blessing her to be “the mother of nations” (Genesis 17:16). And I couldn’t shake the story of Deborah—how she “arose a mother in Israel” and the land had peace for forty years (Judges 5:7).
When women step fully into the identity God speaks over them, it shifts the atmosphere. Sometimes for a family. Sometimes for a community. Sometimes for generations.
Why This Matters in a New Season
Back-to-school may feel like a logistical scramble, but it’s also a spiritual moment. New rhythms, new responsibilities, new roles—all fertile ground for God to speak a fresh name over us.
The world’s voice says:
You are what you achieve.
You are what others think.
You are only as good as your last success.
God’s voice says:
You are Mine.
I have called you by name.
I am giving you a new one.
Living From God’s Voice
When God gives a name, it’s meant to be lived. That’s why it’s essential to not only hear His voice, but also to agree with it and speak it over yourself. That’s the heartbeat of According to His Word—a tool to help you replace false labels with the truth of Scripture.
It’s also why I recommend Jamie Winship’s Living Fearless, a powerful book on discovering the identity God gives you and learning to live courageously in it.
Scriptures for This Season
Isaiah 62:2 — “You will be called by a new name that the mouth of the Lord will bestow.”
Genesis 17:16 — “I will bless her… she will be the mother of nations; kings of peoples will come from her.”
Genesis 32:28 — “Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel, because you have struggled with God and with humans and have overcome.”
Judges 5:7 — “Villagers in Israel would not fight; they held back until I, Deborah, arose, until I arose, a mother in Israel.”
Revelation 21:5 — “He who was seated on the throne said, ‘I am making everything new!’ Then he said, ‘Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.’”
Resources for Speaking & Living Your God-Given Identity
According to His Word by Brandi Haskins— A Scripture-based tool for declaring God’s truth over your life. Check it out HERE.
Living Fearless by Jamie Winship — A powerful guide to hearing God’s voice, discovering your true identity, and walking in it boldly. Check it out HERE.
JOURNALING PROMPTS
What “names” or labels have I been carrying that God never gave me or are no longer applicable?
Who do I believe God is calling me in this season?
How can I remind myself daily of His truth about my identity?
Who could be impacted if I fully lived from my God-given identity?
