When I was a social worker, I often went into assisted living facilities to visit patients. Sometimes I would refer people to one if I thought it could be a good place for them to live.

One facility in the area was called Palm Pointe. It was a nice place, so I often told people about it. It was an attractive building, was clean inside, and had a nice, caring staff.

But one day Palm Pointe was no longer there! The building was there, and people were inside, but the big sign out front had a large canvas draped over it with a different name. I later found out another corporation had bought it, and that’s why the name had changed.

“You should go visit Palm Pointe,” I’d say to someone. “No. Wait. It’s called Lakeview now.” The phone number had changed along with the name, so it took some searching to get in contact with them.

A few months later I drove past Lakeview. As I glanced at the building, I saw that it wasn’t Lakeview anymore! I wondered how the staff kept up with the name of their workplace.

At this point I had to tell people, “You know that big building on Pine Avenue, near the intersection at Main Street? I’m not sure the name of it because a new corporation bought it and changed the name. But you should stop in there and look at it. It’s a very nice place!”

This facility had lost its identity. As a result it was difficult to refer people to it. I wondered if “they” even knew who they were!

What’s your identity?

I want mine to be in Christ, meaning my significance comes from being in a relationship with him. I don’t want my identity to ebb and flow with life’s circumstances. When I get to know someone, I want my identity with Christ to be what they remember. (I’m still working on this . . . )

Several scripture verses point to this relationship with Jesus.

2 Corinthians 5:17 says, “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away and the new has come.”

John 1:12 “But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.”

I know my identity won’t change, and that gives me peace and joy.

As for that facility? I drove by it last week and guess what?

A new name.