A New Identity

This past weekend, many of the cousins from my Mom’s side of the family gathered to trade stories and memories about our maternal grandparents, John Albert (born in 1888) and Laura Meadors (born in 1900). We shared stories about Grandpa’s time as a vaudeville performer, a marine who served in France in World War I, a cowboy in Arizona, and ultimately an evangelist and pastor.

It’s been said Grandpa was quite the entertainer as a singer, dancer, and harmonica player during his vaudeville days. His time as a cowboy resulted in a chance encounter with a rather famous bandit, and later, a general. While camping on the trail one night, Grandpa and his companions were joined by a group from Mexico who shared their coffee and campsite for the night. In the morning light they realized Pancho Villa had been their guest!

While fighting in France, Grandpa was poisoned with mustard gas which severely affected his lungs for the remainder of his life. In an article, From the Firing Lines of France to the Pulpit, my grandmother stated, “February 19, 1918 he enlisted in the Marine Corp. After completing his training at Mare Island, California, he was sent to France. It was while in the battles and a trench hole that he became acquainted with God and promised Him he would preach the gospel if He would let him get back to the USA. He has stated it seemed the angels were hovering over him in those battles. Brother J.A. Meadors rededicated his life to God in 1925 (at the age of 37) in Exeter, California and obeyed His bidding as a minister of the Gospel.”

I learned this past weekend Grandpa changed his name when he became a minister. He wanted to leave the “Johnny Meadors” of his vaudeville and cowboy days behind, so he became known by his middle name, “Albert”. He had a new identity.

In the Bible, God often gave someone a new name to establish a new identity. Abram became Abraham (Genesis 17:5). Abraham’s wife Sarai became Sarah (Genesis 17:15). God changed Jacob’s name to Israel (Genesis 32:28). Jesus changed Simon’s name to Peter (John 1:42). Perhaps Grandpa patterned his name change after those whose names were changed in the Bible indicating God’s new mission and purpose in life for them.

Therefore, if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

2 Corinthians 5:17