July 31 – Say My Name, Say My Name

#FaithBites #FaithJourney Names

I know, you read the title and are probably singing the Destiny’s Child song. As I was typing it, I was singing too. In my job and activities, I meet a lot of people and remembering names has always been hard for me. I do my best, but I can’t remember that well. An old friend of mine called me on it. Then we started making jokes about it.

Hey You, Guy, Buddy, Chief, Pal, Dude, Friend, etc etc. All of those are ways to fake that you know someone’s name. You talk to them and then it’s forgotten. Not knowing someone’s name is so embarrassing. There is a power in someone’s name. Their parents usually chose it for a reason and you start to become your name. Many people may not now that my middle name is David. When I was little, I got teased for having a name like Sol. I was asked to go by David. But it never seemed right. Then as I’ve aged, I have grown into and love my name: Sol. (Except when I was a child and Solomon David Lieb came out, then I was in big trouble).

I do have to tell a short story about weird names. We’ve all heard them. There was a girl in New Zealand who went to a judge to have her legal name changed to K. Why you may ask? Her birth name was: Talula Does the Hula From Hawaii. I wish I could make this stuff up. Why? Just Why?

Some people only ever tell their true name to those who they are close with. Have you ever given a name to someone that isn’t your true name?

Scripture about Names

• A good name is more desirable than great riches;
      to be esteemed is better than silver or gold – Proverbs 22:1
• No longer will you be called Abram^[a]; your name will be Abraham, for I have made you a father of many nations. – Genesis 17:5
• Then the man said, “Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel, because you have struggled with God and with humans and have overcome.” – Genesis 32:28

Reflection

OK, so maybe Talula’s parent’s didn’t think hard about her name. But it does show that a good name is more desirable than great riches 🙂 Scripture is filled with people and places changing names. Either God does it as in Abram and Jacob, or it is changed along the way Saul to Paul, but it symbolized a change in purpose. God has given his son’s and daughters names that represent their destiny. Even in Isaiah (9:6) we hear names for what Jesus will be called when he arrives.

So what does this all mean? To me, it breaks down into two main parts. The first is our identity here on earth and second is our identity in the next life.

Our name is powerful. I love my name now. It is unique and I have grown into it. If I feel this way about my name, then I should respect other’s names. This is especially true when they have names that are hard for English speakers to pronounce. I have tried to have them pronounce it and correct me if I’m wrong. Nothing worse than constantly saying someone’s name wrong.

Second, I know the name of the Lord. I know that he is the prince of peace, counselor, confident, and a hundred other names. I know that he calls me son and watches over me. Knowing his name and the power it brings protects and comforts me.  What does his name do for you?

Charge

If a name is powerful, what are you going to do to use that power? Will you take the time to learn how to pronounce someone else’s name? Will you help someone pronounce yours? Maybe you will learn the power that comes in the Lord’s name? I hope you do.

I am willing to learn the power in someone’s name and help them realize it with the help of God.