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The Rock

I have this moniker, Mr. Woo. It comes from people saying my name and my answering with (wait for it)...woo. Mr. Woo is actually not too bad of a nickname. It beats the nicknames I was given as I was growing up. Skinny Boy and Four Eyes weren't horrible, but Cries-When-Wets-Pants left some scars. Needless to say, I have tried to leave these behind. I've never introduced myself by saying, 'My name is Rick, but you can call me Captain Pansy.'

Because of my not so successful past with nicknames, I am surprised when people with great nicknames choose not to use them. Case in point, I saw a movie poster for some has-to-be family friendly flick starring...Dwayne Johnson. Now there is nothing wrong with the name Dwayne. But I saw the picture and said, 'Isn't that The Rock?' If I had a choice between my name and The Rock, I'll be honest, I am going with The Rock.

It got me thinking about how we choose to be identified. Perhaps Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson is getting some advice on who will choose to see his new movie based on his name, but most of us have to make up our own minds based on how we want to be seen. This can be simply by nickname, or by who we hang out with, or simply by how we act.

I am ashamed to say it now, but I can remember a time when I did not desire to be associated as a Christ Follower. I would acknowledge it if forced into a corner, but was normally attempting to be someone I was not meant to be. It's ironic, because now I try to hide the parts of me that do not reflect Christ.

This is not all bad, as I read Colossians 3:3-4, my goal is to become less as Christ becomes more by living through me. It's only when this life is over that I, the true me, will appear with Christ in glory. I can live with that. I will put my identity in the true Rock.
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