What’s Your Name?

Isaiah 43:1 “But now, thus says the Lord, your Creator, O Jacob, And He who formed you, O Israel, “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; you are Mine!”

“Granny, what’s your name?”

Hmmm, an odd question from my then six year old granddaughter. I had just picked her up from the first day at Vacation Bible School. What an adventure!

“Brooke, you know my name, don’t you? Why are you asking?”

“My teacher asked who brought me. I told them Granny. And then she asked what my Granny’s name was, and I told her I didn’t know!”

“Ahhh, I see!  My name is Ellen Chauvin.”

I checked the rearview mirror and saw that she had twisted up her face. With a look of horror she said “You’re name is GRANNY Ellen Chauvin?!?”

“Yes, my full name is Ellen Chauvin. You call me Granny because I’m your grandmother.  Paw’s name is John Chauvin, and you call him Paw because he’s your grandfather.”

The next day, before dropping her off at Vacation Bible School, I quizzed her to make sure she remembered our names.

“Yes, you’re Ellen Chauvin and Paw is John Chauvin.” Great! She remembered!

That afternoon, she was excited to show me the crafts she had made and her scripture verse: “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid.”

“Granny, it’s from the book of Josh, like my Daddy’s name!” She was thrilled!

I said “Yes, but it’s like your Daddy’s FULL name – it’s from JOSHUA 1:9.”

We continued reviewing the scripture on the way home, as well as our names. She remembered everything: the scripture is from the book of Joshua, like my daddy’s FULL name. Your full name is Ellen Chauvin, and Paw’s full name is John Chauvin.

At the end of the third day, Brooke came bounding out of her classroom, crafts and Bible scripture in tow. I saw that the scripture was 1 John 4:9 “This is how God showed His love among us: He sent His one and only Son into the world that we might live through Him.”  We talked about Jesus being God’s Son, and that God sent Jesus to die on the cross for us.

Next was my usual question: “Do you remember what book of the Bible the scripture is from?”

Silence from the back seat.

“You remember, it’s from the book of 1st J…..?”

More silence.

“Remember? The book of 1st Jo…1st Jo…”

And then a very small, tiny voice from the back:

“The book of 1st John….Chauvin?”

Hmmmm, perhaps I concentrated too much on our names, and not the Name above all names – Jesus. But she was remembering!

There are some names that you shouldn’t remember.  And if you do, they need to be replaced with the truth:

Unloved………..Loved (John 3:16)

Worthless……..His Masterpiece (Eph. 2:10)

Fearful…………Powerful (2 Tim. 1:7)

Weak…………..Strong (Eph. 6:10)

Scripture tells us in 2 Corinthians 5:17 “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.”

We no longer have to wear old names and cling to them because they are as comfortable as an old sweater. We are new in Christ Jesus!  Throw off the old clothes, and put on your new wardrobe!

What’s YOUR name?

Lord God, I thank You and praise You that I am created anew in Christ Jesus! I no longer have to wear old names and labels. In You, I am a princess – a child of the King! In You, I can walk in a manner worthy of the calling You have called me to! Thank You, Father God! In the name of Jesus, Name above all names! Amen