The importance of a name
We were laughing at the karate studio. One of the mothers had just called for her child who was headed for trouble. And she had used the first, middle and last name; with emphasis and a hard stop after each name. The child looked at her friend and said, “Uh-oh, momma just used my trouble name. I gotta go.” We all laughed and then listened as those around us recounted stories from their own childhoods when their trouble names were employed. I thought nothing more about it. I didn’t think I had a trouble name. I don’t remember getting called by all of my names. I don’t do that to my children, either.
A couple weeks after that incident, as I was praying and listening to the Lord, the thought came that I should allow the Lord to give me my name. I have been labelled with different names through my life, and I have been sorting those labels with the Lord. This has been a restorative and healing process. So, what did the Lord want to label me? Of course, His labels for me are all through His Word, but these were names just for me. I joyfully received them. I wrote them down, and I could feel the truth of these names in my spirit. These names aligned with His Word, and flowed from His heart. I was at peace, and greatly comforted my Father saw me, knew me and named me.
Then, a hiccup. I texted a friend, and she replied, “Thank you, Shannon.” My precious reader, an abyss of shame opened under me. My face flushed, tears sprang to my eyes. I had a trouble name, and it was my name. Just my first name flooded me with feelings of pain, inadequacy, hopelessness, loss and shame. I wanted to delete the text. I wanted to run and hide. I was faced with a choice. I went to my closet and closed the door. I knelt before my Father. I asked Him to tell me the truth about my name. He did. He showed me the people who had wielded my name as a weapon of disgrace. He showed me the times my name was said with hatred, disgust and contempt. He showed me my own rejection of my name in order to self-protect and survive. I wept. I stayed. I let Him apply His love to my wounds, and I said my name out loud until the tears stopped.
When I left my closet, I called my friend. I told her what had happened, and she assured me there was nothing wrong between us. I was not in trouble with her. She let me know our friendship was grounded in the Lord’s own sacrifice, and we would work things out if ever a situation required it. She was gracious, kind and loving and she became an extension of the Lord’s healing. She didn’t dismiss my feelings or laugh in derision. After we hung up, she texted her thoughts about where my wounds had been sustained, and she became an echo of the Lord’s voice when He answered me in my closet.
I mentioned I had a choice, and the choice was an important one, but I often miss it. I went to my Father first, then to my friend. My Father alone has the authority, wisdom and perfection to address my life. He knows me, made me, renews me and transforms me. He made me for Himself, and His attention is life-giving. After going to Him first, and hearing from Him specifically, clearly and gently; I was then ready to hear from my friend. Often, I get it backwards, and then struggle to discern the truth. Even with godly, well-meaning friends, they speak from a limited perspective. Deeper here, it is important that I first receive my name and my labels from the Lord. While I walk with Him, He is teaching me His ways and what He proclaims of me is the truth I will need to stand in this fallen world.
Interesting to me, is how often the Word includes names. God must think names are important. However, we speak lovingly and often of the Names of God, and then skip whole swaths of genealogies. We know names of important Bible figures for good or bad. We assign names of bad actors in the Bible to behaviors of people in this world. Names are used in friendship, warnings, encouragement, rebuke and recognition. A good name is to be treasured. Families share names, and pass on names. Names identify, label and carry meaning. We are told new names will be given to those of us who overcome. Above all, God values His name, and He has made His name to be known in all the earth. Jesus is a name above all others. God’s name is called a refuge and tower. In Revelation 19, Jesus is called Faithful and True, He has a name written that none knows but Himself, He is called The Word of God; on His robe and on His thigh He has a name written: King of kings and Lord of lords. Names matter.
Do you have a “trouble name”? Better yet, have you heard your Father name you? He wants to renew and strengthen you, and He wants to call you by name.