Your Special Name

Names. We all have one. Or several.

Most of us have a birth certificate that indicates the name our birth parents gave us. That name follows us all our days. It determines whether we stand near the front of the line or at the back, tells friends and neighbors who we belong to , and comes to be associated with honor and courage or weakness and whining. It identifies us, affects us, and then defines us with the meaning we build into it.

These names given by our parents often remind us of our heritage. We may be named for a favorite aunt or a grandfather. Dads love to show pride in their first-born sons by simply adding “junior” to their own name. Some parents encourage excellence in children by naming them after historical figures. Biblical names can be living reminders to our children of our relationship to God, and a challenge to be available to Him. My name means “One who is like God,” and reminds me that I am to demonstrate the love and character of God in all that I do.

Then there are those other names. The ones our intimate family and close friends call us. Sometimes, these names are descriptive of our personality, our actions, our attributes. Sometimes they are derivatives of our given names, and sometimes a cherished mispronunciation of our name by a child who is very special to us. These are the names we tend to value; unique identifiers with meanings known only to people very special to us.

Jesus gave some of his closest followers special names. One disciple’s given name was Simon. Simon often spoke before he thought, but actually became a significant leader among early Christians. He sometimes seemed to be insecure, but became stalwart. Jesus called him Peter, which means Rock. Rocky. From missteps to solid footing. James and John, brothers, seem to have had short tempers. Jesus called them Boanerges, or “Sons of Thunder.” They began as critical and judgmental. But they grew to be mighty voices of truth. Jesus knew them well, and gave them appropriate names.

I think we all have another name.

I have a name for my youngest granddaughter. It would probably embarrass her if you heard me use it. But when I say that name, it reminds us of special times and events in our lives, and evokes the close and special bond between us. It’s special. And it’s just between us.

Jesus has such a name for each of us. To be sure, not everyone knows about this name. I’m not sure when we are given this name. This name is unique to each of us, and is private. Only me and Jesus will know my name, and only you and He will know your name.

As we grow in our relationship to Jesus and learn more of His love and care for us, we realize just how special, how loving, how tender is the relationship between us. He knows us intimately, cares for us boundlessly, and delights in us passionately. And He gives us that special name, a name that evokes memories and visions of all that we are to Him. It describes us as we are and as we are meant to be. It tells of what we were when Jesus found us and what He is making of us.

I wonder, do you know His name for you? Do you enjoy that special, intimate relationship He desires with you? Are you living in His grace for you? Are you growing into His best plan for you?

Listen carefully. Jesus may be calling your name.

He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers I will give some of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, with a new name written on the stone that no one knows except the one who receives it.
Rev 2:17