What's in a Name?

"Cook," "Cook," our little daughter kept saying. She'd been born less than a year ago, was she already offering to help with the chores? No. Darn. This was her own abbreviated version of her favorite treat, a cookie. As soon as possible we start pointing to things and teaching babies to name the objects in their surroundings. Why? Because being able to name something gives one power. Knowledge is power. We can only talk about things that we know. We only notice things that we know. Like when we learn a new word and it suddenly turns up everywhere. Of course, it's always been there; we just never noticed it before. To know is to grow. And have you ever noticed that if we can't name something, we probably don't care about it; and if we don't care about something, we probably can't name it?

When we moved to a new area of the country, there were lots of new plants, trees, and even animals we'd never encountered before. I wondered what they were. An armadillo is certainly something you have to see to believe; only God could've thought up something like that. Much of the vegetation here is equally unique. Yet among the plants I also found many "old friends," sometimes, though, the same plant can be called by different names in different parts of the country. One day I asked about a lovely tree in someone's yard. "What's its name?" They hadn't a clue and seemed to think it a bit odd that I'd even asked. But it's nice to know the names of those you live among, be it people, plants or critters. Perhaps it's the first sign of caring - in any area. Would our environment be in such sad shape if more folks knew that everything has a name? Aren't we less likely to hurt something or someone, if we know their name?

In Romeo and Juliet Shakespeare says, "That which is called a rose, by any other name would smell as sweet." It seems to me that God, by any other name, would be as great! After all, how many One, True Gods could there be? If someone calls God by a different name, does that automatically mean it isn't The God,? Even in our own Bible there are multiple names for the Godhead. While we are still on this earth none of us has the whole picture. Our faith and knowledge is still an abbreviated version. If someone else's faith promotes a reverence for creation, peace, love, and brotherhood, and they are living that out in their lives, then I expect God is pleased. Perhaps more so than those who bear the "right name" but don't bear out the right values in their lives? While these others may not know the Shepherd's name, they must know his Spirit! If there is to be any carding and sorting, we'd better leave it to the Shepherd. It is not a job for sheep. Playing God, like playing with fire, is very dangerous. We could get burned. Jesus even says he has sheep of other flocks. I expect he will cut these folks a lot of slack, just like he does for those of us who know his name. After all, God knows everyone's name!

Genesis 2.19 - So the Lord God formed from the soil every kind of animal and bird, and bought them to the man to see what he would call them; and whatever he called them, that was their name.

Exodus 3.13-15 - Then, Moses said to God, "If I come to the people and say to them, 'The God of your fathers has sent me to you,' and they ask me, 'What is his name?' What shall I say to them?" God said to Moses, "I AM WHO I AM."

Matthew 1.21 - She will have a Son, and you shall name him Jesus, meaning Savior, for he will save his people from their sins.

Ephesians 1.19-21 - This you can tell from the strength of his power at work in Christ, when he used it to raise him from the dead and made him to sit at the right hand, far above every Sovereignty, Authority, Power, or Dominion, or any other name that can be named, not only in this age, but in the age to come.

Philippians 2.9 - God raised him to the heights of heaven and gave him a name that is above every other name, that at the name of Jesus, every knee shall bow in heaven, and on earth, and under the earth, and every tongue shall confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

John 10.3,14,16 - The sheep hear his voice and come to him; and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them. I am the Good Shepherd and know my own sheep, and they know me. I have other sheep, too, in another fold. I must bring them also, and they will hear my voice, and there will be one flock and one Shepherd.

2 Peter 3.9 - He is not willing that any should perish.

1 Timothy 4.10 - We trust in the Living God who is the Savior of all men, especially of those who believe.

Psalm 139.6-7 - This is too glorious, too wonderful to believe! I can never be lost to your Spirit!

Revelation 2.17 - I will give each a white stone, on the stone will be engraved a new name that no one knows except the one receiving it.