What’s in a Name? December 7, 2009
article by Paula Guest/photo by Christiana Childers
One morning while running errands with three young grandchildren in tow, we began discussing names for their soon to arrive new baby brother. Dillan, age four, began asking me what everyone’s ‘whole name’ was. “What is Isaac’s name?”
“Isaac Michael Guest”
“What is Jocelyn’s name?”
“Jocelyn Elaine Guest”
“What is Papa Ron’s name?”
And so on until we had named every cousin, aunt, uncle, and parent.
In sheer delight he cried, “We all have the same name!” And so began a somewhat lengthy discussion on what it means to be part of a family. What an incredible, bone deep, sense of security comes from knowing that you belong to a family who will love and protect you, no matter what. That you not alone, nor ever will be. And, although I didn’t discuss it with a four year old, how important it is to take care to keep your ‘good name’, not doing anything to bring shame or disgrace to your family name.
My heart immediately turned to our greater family – the family of God. And the new name we have adopted, “Christian,” child of God.
If we find peace and security in our earthly family, how much greater is that peace and security in our Heavenly family? How much greater care should we take to bring honor to the Name above all names?
To be called a ‘child of God’, and to bear His Name, is an honor that we cannot grasp. It brings eternal security that we cannot fathom. In 2 Chronicles 7:16, speaking of Solomon’s temple, the LORD said, “I have chosen and consecrated this temple so that my Name may be there forever. My eyes and my heart will always be there.”
We are told in the New Testament that our very bodies have become the temple of the LORD. 1 Cor 3:16 “Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit lives in you?” WE are God’s temple, and He has promised that HIS name will be within us forever. That HIS eyes, and HIS heart will be with us always. Wow!
And the ‘new name’ that He will bestow upon you. Do you ever wonder about that?? What will my name be for all eternity? And how will it reflect on how God sees me?
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