What’s in a name?

Finding comfort in a name, or two

We all have one. We each have a unique name. Some names are passed down from generation to generation. Some names are chosen because they are very out-of-the-box. Some are common names but the spelling has a twist. Whatever your name is, or however it is spelled is a part of who you are.

When we first meet someone their name helps us make certain judgments, assumptions and predictions about who they are as a person. This really isn’t fair. We don’t choose our names or have much choice. Which we do know that our Heavenly Father knew our names even before our parents would. If the person shares a name with someone you already know, things can get weird sometimes. I will admit that I have met people with the same name as someone I already know and I feel like I already know them. Sometimes this is a good thing. Sometimes this is a really bad thing.

When my husband and I were choosing the names for our girls we put a lot of thought into their names. With our first daughter we picked a name that we liked and felt was not very common. Because we weren’t around a lot of young children at the time, we were wrong. Her name isn’t extremely common but let’s just say there are two other sweet young ladies at our church with the same name. She thinks that this is very cool and loves it.

Fast forward four years to our second daughter and we were a little more selective. Since we had attended tons of little kid birthday parties by then we knew much more which names were common. We also had to be careful because my husband is a high school teacher. This made things a little tricky as well. I would find names that I loved but he would have a strong opinion about the name. This was especially true if the name was associated with a student he had in the past. We chose a name for her that is a little different but now suits her personality better than we could have imagined. When people hear her name its usually the first time they have heard the name. I have grown to really like this because they get to know her first and then make the connection to her name. I will leave the story about her middle name for another day. It is an entire story on its own and a testimony in itself.

I had been praying that the Lord would give me a message for this post. Today, after I met someone with a very different name God almost immediately gave me this message:

What’s in a name?

Our Heavenly Father is known by many, many names in the Bible. He has so many names but the amazing thing is He is always the same. Even though these many different names are all translated to mean a variety of descriptions, He is the one and only God.

During different seasons of my life I have found it very comforting to find scriptures that speak to me. In these different scriptures God is usually described with words other than “God”. The Bible has an almost endless supply of names to call our precious God and Savior. Not only do I love finding these different names but I also love finding the original Hebrew names for God as well. One in particular has gotten us through many hard times in our little family. Once again, a story I will share another day.

Whatever season of your life you are in right now I encourage you to choose one or two of these names for God, use it to comfort you. Please use these names when you pray. Use these names you lay your shoulder on and let Him comfort you. That is what He wants us to do. He wants us to come to Him with all of our troubles. He is there to help us and guide us. No matter what name you decide to call Him during different seasons. He is the same yesterday, today and forever.

Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.

Hebrews 13:8 KJV

No matter what your name is. No matter how it is spelled or how common or rare it is. The only thing that matters is that you have chosen for your name to be written in the Lamb’s Book of Life because you have made Him your savior forever.

He is not only my God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Ghost. He is my: redeemer, prince of peace, supplier, refresher, friend of sinners, ruler, hope of glory, the Great I am, chosen, Jehovah-Jireh, overcomer, potter, bread of life, physician, unchangeable, unmovable, divine, Jesus, King of Kings, hope, power, foundation, all reigning, Eagle’s wing, messiah, truth teacher, authority, silent shield, sovereign, always there, alpha, only begotten, precious, merciful, son of man, debt payor and He is the name above all names.

If you have enjoyed this post please like it, share it with others and follow my blog to received new posts when made available.

Have a BLESSED day!