Name

“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are Mine!” Isaiah 43:1

Name – One of the biggest social embarrassments in life is encountering someone you know and not remembering the name.  That has happened to me on too many occasions to think about.  I know that I am supposed to know who this person talking with me is, but I just can’t remember.  Maybe that’s why we use nametags at gatherings.  It just saves embarrassment.

In spite of my terrible name memory, there are some names I just never forget, even if I don’t see the people for long periods.  Top on the list are my children.  I can’t imagine ever forgetting the names of any of them.  I don’t know a single parent who has ever complained, “You know, I know that is my child but I just can’t remember her name.”  I never forget my children’s names because those children are mine.  That is exactly how God feels about you and I.

God has a better memory than most.  He only forgets what He decides to forget (like my sins).  But He never forgets who I am.  Why?  Because He is the one who named me.  I am His child and just like other parents, my name is something that never leaves His mind.

The Hebrew word shem means a specific designation of who you are.  It is personal in every way.  If you have a name like Tom or Jane or Richard or Susan, you suffer from multiple designations.  Other people share your name.   But not with God.  His name for you (which, by the way is not your earthly name) is absolutely unique to you.  It is a one in a zillion.  And God knows exactly who you are every time He thinks of your name.  God never confuses you with anyone else.

You might think, “Of course.  That’s so obvious.”  But consider this.  There has never been and never will be anyone else like you.  You are completely unique.  And God recognizes your one-of-a-kind existence.  He doesn’t expect you to act like anyone else, be like anyone else, think like anyone else.  He just wants you to be the perfect you.  That’s why He named you.

The One Day At A Time Action for today:  Write down your name.  Look at that name and say out loud, “God made me to be the perfect me.  There is no one else in the world that I need to be.”