Just Say Your Name: A Lesson from a Dream in South Africa
Recently, I had a trance that left a lasting impression on my spirit. It was more than a passing morning vision—it felt like a parable, a divine teaching wrapped in imagery and emotion.
In the dream, I found myself in South Africa, walking through the heart of the city, searching for a place to eat. I wasn’t alone; a young man was leading me, perhaps someone familiar with the area—calm, confident, and at home in the environment.
As we navigated the streets, an immigration officer suddenly stopped us. He was stern, uniformed, and clearly on duty. He requested to see our passports. My guide handed his over without hesitation. The officer glanced through it, nodded, and let him go without much trouble. I figured it was because he was already a resident.
Then it was my turn.
The officer looked at me with a piercing gaze and asked, "What’s your name? What are you doing in South Africa?"
Panic set in. I felt exposed, uncertain, and anxious about proving my legitimacy. My response was a flood of explanations:
“I’m Reverend so-and-so… I’m a pastor… I came for a ministration… I was just trying to find a place to eat…”
I went on and on, hoping that all the details would convince him of my good intentions.
But instead of understanding, he cut me short.
“Go and sit in the waiting room,” he ordered.
And so I did—confused, frustrated, and wondering what I had done wrong. I waited for what felt like a long time, without attention or updates. People came and went, but no one called me. No one explained why I was being held there.
Eventually, I saw the same officer again and approached him, asking respectfully, “Sir, why have I not been attended to?”
He looked at me kindly this time and replied with a respectful tone, “Sir, is your food order ready?”
I was stunned.
“Food order?” I responded. “You didn’t even allow me get to the place to order food. You stopped me and asked me to sit without saying why.”
He leaned in closer, as if letting down his official guard to speak to me heart-to-heart.
With a calm voice and a slight smile, he said:
“Omo Yoruba ni mi. E nilo gbogbo alaye yen. Just your name… I am a Christian from Nigeria. That’s enough. All that excessive explanation raised unnecessary suspicion.”
The Message Behind the Dream
I woke up with those words echoing in my mind:
“Just your name… I am a Christian from Nigeria. That’s enough.”
And it hit me—how often do we overcomplicate our identity in an effort to be accepted or understood? We go into long-winded explanations, hoping to justify our presence, purpose, or innocence. But in doing so, we sometimes cause more harm than good. We arouse suspicion, invite unnecessary scrutiny, and even dilute the strength of our real identity.
In that dream, the immigration officer wasn’t interested in all the fluff. He wasn’t against me—he just needed clarity.
But my panic and over-talking made me look like someone trying to hide something.
There’s a spiritual lesson here:
You don’t need to explain everything. Sometimes, all you need is to stand firm in your identity.
Identity is Authority
When you know who you are, you don’t need to panic under pressure.
“I am [Your Name]. I am a Christian. I am from Nigeria.”
That is enough.
Your identity carries weight—not because of your achievements, but because of the One who called you. When Moses asked God for a name to present to the Israelites, God simply said, “I AM WHO I AM” (Exodus 3:14). He didn’t go into deep explanations. Identity, in God, is sufficient.
In our efforts to explain ourselves—especially as ministers, leaders, or believers—we must learn the wisdom of simplicity. Speak less. Stand more.
Lessons to Reflect On
Don’t Panic in New Territory
When you find yourself in unfamiliar environments, trust in who you are. Don’t rush to over-talk your way into acceptance.
Keep Your Identity Simple and Clear
Over-explaining can lead to misinterpretation. Clarity builds confidence.
Let Your Presence Speak
You don’t always need to prove your mission. Let your conduct and calling do the talking.
Respect Protocol, but Don’t Bow to Fear
Protocol isn’t your enemy—but fear is. Fear often pushes us into unnecessary explanations.
Never Undermine the Power of Being a Christian
Your faith, when declared plainly, carries more spiritual authority than any title or long explanation.
In a time when so many strive to be heard, heaven honors those who know when to be still. As Scripture says:
“In quietness and in confidence shall be your strength.” — Isaiah 30:15
Stop striving. Stop over-explaining.
Say your name. Declare your faith. Own your roots. That’s enough.
The Power of Simplicity: Why You Should Stop Over-Explaining Yourself
In an age where self-promotion is often mistaken for self-worth, the pressure to explain, defend, or validate who we are can be overwhelming. Whether in conversations, interviews, or social settings, many feel compelled to give excessive details about their background, beliefs, and actions—all in a bid to be understood, accepted, or cleared of suspicion.
But what if the real strength lies in simplicity?
What if the most powerful way to introduce yourself is not through lengthy narratives, but through bold, clear identity?
Let Your Identity Speak for You
Your name.
Your faith.
Your nationality.
That is all you truly need to declare. These three elements are the pillars of your identity, and they speak volumes—more than paragraphs of justification ever could.
In situations that challenge your presence or principles, do not cower behind explanations. Stand tall. Let your presence carry the authority of who you are. There is no need to shrink into excessive detail. Say your name with clarity. State your faith without apology. Affirm your nationality without fear.
When you do this, you affirm the dignity God has given you.
The Trap of Over-Explanation
There is a subtle danger in over-explaining oneself. The more you speak, especially under pressure, the more likely you are to exaggerate, omit, or unconsciously fabricate. Psychology supports this: when individuals are trying to prove their innocence or justify their intentions, they often say too much, and in doing so, appear less credible.
The wise King Solomon wrote in Proverbs 10:19 (ESV):
"When words are many, transgression is not lacking, but whoever restrains his lips is prudent."
Over-talking doesn’t prove your integrity. Often, it only invites unnecessary scrutiny. Simplicity, on the other hand, carries confidence. When you speak less, you invite respect. When you speak with precision, you establish clarity.
Courage Over Compulsion
It takes courage to be concise. It takes boldness to remain silent in moments when the world demands your defense. But remember: not every question deserves an answer. Not every setting requires your backstory. You owe no one an essay for your existence.
Jesus, when standing trial before Pilate, chose silence at a crucial moment (Matthew 27:12–14). Despite the accusations hurled at Him, He did not feel the need to explain Himself. His identity was secure. His purpose was firm. His silence was not weakness—it was wisdom.
Likewise, your strength is not in the noise of your defense, but in the stillness of your conviction.
Practical Wisdom: How to Apply This Daily
Define your identity clearly.
Know who you are. Write it down. Declare it. This reduces your need to search for words when challenged.
Practice brevity.
In introductions, emails, bios, and interviews, be crisp. Speak to the point and let your work, presence, and actions say the rest.
Avoid defending what doesn’t need defense.
If you’ve done no wrong, you do not need to convince others. Truth proves itself with time.
Use silence as a strategy.
Silence in the right moment can carry more weight than a thousand words. It is not emptiness; it is a deliberate, powerful posture.
Remember your divine backing.
God is your defender. You don’t have to strive for validation when Heaven has already affirmed you.
Scripture Reflection:
Ecclesiastes 5:2 (NIV)
“Do not be quick with your mouth, do not be hasty in your heart to utter anything before God. God is in heaven and you are on earth, so let your words be few.”
Final Thoughts
We live in a world where noise is mistaken for influence, and verbosity for intelligence. But the wisest voices in history were often the quietest. They knew the power of well-chosen words—and the greater power of holding back.
So the next time you are tempted to explain yourself endlessly, pause.
Take a breath.
Stand tall.
Say your name.
Declare your faith.
Own your roots.
And leave the rest to God.
Stop Oversharing. Just Stand Tall.
In a world that constantly pressures you to explain yourself, defend your choices, or justify your identity—resist the urge.
When asked who you are, keep it simple:
Your Name. Your Faith. Your Nationality.
That’s enough. Be bold. Be calm. Be fearless—anywhere, anytime.
The more you talk, the more room there is for error. You end up over-explaining, over-defending, or even unconsciously twisting the truth to sound "right."
Trying to prove your innocence or sincerity too much often makes you sound guilty.
Silence is strength.
Simplicity is power.
Truth doesn’t need decoration.
Say less. Mean more. Let your presence speak louder than your words.
Call to Action:
Have you ever felt pressured to over-explain yourself in order to be accepted or understood? How did it affect your confidence? Share your thoughts in the comments and encourage someone today by reposting this article.
