Illustration: Identity

Maximus Julias Pauson was not given a name at birth and went without one for 19 years. His birth certificate simply said "Baby Boy. Name to Come." The name never came. People informally called him Max after his mother, Maxine. Max spent years in foster care. He got interested in art, fascinated by Dr. Seuss, Harry Potter and The Chronicles of Narnia. When it came time for Max to have a job, it was necessary for him to get a background check. To do that, he had to have an identity. So he got to choose his own name. He decided on a memorable and dignified one, Maximus Julias Pauson. He is now a celebrated artist and happy with his name. We were given a name at our conversion. This name reminds us of what Paul said: Once we were not a people, but now we are the people of God.