Called by Name

In a magazine interview, Sean John Combs shared that he derived his stage name "Puff Daddy / Puffy" from a childhood nickname - given to him because of his proclivity to "huff and puff" with rage. I suspect the wound caused by his father's death remained unhealed as he navigated life; as people and circumstances came near to this vulnerability, he cried out with extreme anger.

(I am not using this as an excuse for his violent behavior. I am using this illustration to teach the importance of a name.)

Throughout his life and influential career, this name has been reinforced in song lyrics, award announcements, and other proclamations. The name accompanied a rageful persona; we now see its footprints in the stories of women subject to violence by his hand.

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We tend to name a thing by its wound, reinforcing alignment by word and action.

The prophetic challenges us to fix our gaze on the Most High, allowing His deep love for humanity to coat our gaze as we peer beyond the enemy's distortions to call a thing by its original name. 

As we cultivate our relationships with people, places, purposes, we must intentionally call these things by the name God intended at the beginning. I call these places blessed cities, and the inhabitants righteous.

Moving Through

There is an enemy of mankind. He wants you stuck in a cycle of believing that you are damaged and defeated. He wants you dead. He counterfeits the goodness of God; the enemy wants to be worshipped. 

Thank God for the Good News - that the enemy is defeated and we have access to everlasting life. 

We know this truth and must continue to actively resist the enemy's attempts to rule us and the world until Jesus's return.

We can leverage art as a form of resistance. Art helps us to move through difficult thoughts, feelings, and emotions.

During the pandemic, DJ D-Nice guided celebrities, politicians, and even novice social media users through virtual dance parties to shake off the uncertainty. After the assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr., James Brown performed a televised concert to quell the pain that manifested into rioting. 

Art - in whatever form - is a healing balm. 

The Pope recently invited comedians to Vatican City to celebrate the importance of humor to unite people. There is a current movement to include art as a medical prescription for individuals healing from various infirmities. 

So we pray for the artists - that their visions will be hidden from the enemy's distortions and distractions. We pray they will find community, balance, and wholeness. We pray they will access the keys to distribute their art and reach multitudes. We pray that they will mentor and promote in their fields of influence.