What's in a Name?

Do you wonder about names of people you encounter? Do you notice how a name grows on a person? What about nicknames? Why do we choose to nick name someone who has a longer name? Do people take offense to nicknames? Does your name having meaning in its origin? Was there significance in your parents giving you the name?

There's so much in a name. Our parents may have combined two names from our lineage to get ours. We may have been named after a relative or a special person. There is always a reason behind the name given to us. Then, sometimes life takes a turn and through either our parents or ourselves or friends, our name changes and we get a nick name. There are some parents who name their child with the intention of using a nick name or the middle name.

The last couple of years, I have earnestly tried to use a person's name more often in conversation or even in a simple "hi" as we pass. I noticed a certain co-worker, whom I didn't really know well, would always address me by my name in conversation even if a simple "Hi, Paula." It really caught my attention of how that made me feel even by a not-so-acquainted co-worker. There is just something about a person using our names. Since that time, I've tried to make an effort to include the use of names in conversations when addressing others.

I have even noticed my five-year-old niece does this quite often. Whenever she specifically addresses me, she always uses my name at the beginning or end of her statement. Of course it is adorable in her little voice to hear "thank you, Paula" when I hand her something for which she has asked. Or if she says "Paula, watch me jump rope fast." I love to also hear her call my mom "grandma" and my dad "grandpa". Nothing's sweeter from a wee little one. When my two nieces were even younger they would call me "Aunt Paulie". Now that was precious. Though my mom and brother still reference me as such the girls are so grown up (at 5 and 7) they now call me "Paula" but it is still precious hearing them say my name.

I love the name of Jesus. There's power in His Name. Power to cast out demons. So much power that satan cannot stand to hear it. So much power that we pray "In Jesus Name, Amen". Many times I prefer to reference Jesus rather than God. In our world there are many "gods" that people call upon and I never want to confuse my God with those others may have. So, to be more specific I like to reference Jesus, Lord, or Father. That's just a personal preference so that it is clear to others with whom I'm speaking that it is the God Almighty, the God of the Universe of which I'm referencing. I also prefer those names because they provide me a sense of closeness with my Lord. To say Jesus or Father or Lord is to say someone's first name instead of Mrs. Smith.

Let's take a look at SOME of the names of our Master.

God. Father. Abba. Son. Almighty. Immanuel. Christ. Messiah. Lord of Lords. Master. Jesus. King of Kings. I Am. Alpha and Omega. Lamb of God. Judge. Shepherd. Jehovah.

Jehovah-Jireh (The Lord will Provide)
Jehovah-Rophe (The Lord who Heals)
Jehovah-Shalom (The Lord of Peace)
El Shaddai (God Almighty)

Adonai (Master)

God put special importance and emphasis on names. He even changed some names: Abram to Abraham, Sarai to Sarah, Jacob to Israel.

As we studied Potiphar's wife in Sunday School, we also discussed the many other women in the Bible with no names. My favorite of course being the bleeding women. There is also the widow with two coins (rather mites, which is of least value), the sinful woman, the Samaritan woman at the well, the woman who washed Jesus' feet with her perfume. Why in these cases were their names not given? We know they have names. Was it more important in these cases to emphasize their stories and testimonies? Was their testimony to be more of an impact on us than their names? We were asked to introduce ourselves to another in class by a description without using our name. I am not a mother to anyone; I am not a wife to anyone. So, those were not automatic identifications on my mind. I thought "I am the daughter of a King." Wow. I have never thought about that in those terms. To think of a king in this world and royalty such as Queen Elizabeth or Prince Charles is to think on such power, privilege, and prestige. But I am not just the daughter of "a" king but rather THE King. The King of Kings. That struck a chord so deep because I've never felt the privilege of power or position. Yet, I have the greatest position of all...the daughter of the King. I do not hold this precious position alone though. I humbly share it with many women who've called upon the name of Jesus. The Name of Jesus. Wow...so much power.

She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins. Matthew 1:21

Through him and for his name's sake, we received grace and apostleship to call people from among all the Gentiles to the obedience that comes from faith. And you also are among those who are called to belong to Jesus Christ. Romans 1:5-6

What's your favorite name of our King?

In His Name,