What’s In a Name?

Today’s message was written by Guest Pastor, Rev. Andy Odom. 

Scripture: You were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God. (1 Corinthians 6:11)

I recently read a story about a teacher in an impoverished area in Colorado who goes through the same experience every year when she learns the names of her new class. Every time she does it, she inevitably comes across a name that has more than one pronunciation. When the student is asked for the correct pronunciation, the typical response is, “Whatever is fine.” It is then that this teacher stops and, with clarity in her voice, replies, “No, it is not. It’s your name. Tell me how to say it.” Her hope in doing so is to help students understand the importance of their names. For some, she says, it is all they have.

Life is uncertain and comes with no guarantees. It holds no promise that tomorrow will be better than today. But when we are baptized, Jesus calls us by name and then gives us his name. Amidst the uncertainty of life, the name that is above all names is generously and abundantly given to us, imprinted upon our very souls. God claims us in baptism, promising us a life filled with the sound of his voice and the confidence of his presence, the one who keeps calling us by name. After all, nothing is quite as personal as a name. In the end, it is all we really have, and it is enough.

Prayer: Gracious God, you have created each one of us. You have given special attention to who we are and who we can be. We are your children, and you call us by name. Give us ears to hear your voice, hearts to know you are near, and hands to reach out to others, in the name of Christ we pray. Amen. 

I recently read a story about a teacher in an impoverished area in Colorado who goes through the same experience every year when she learns the names of her new class. Every time she does it, she inevitably comes across a name that has more than one pronunciation. When the student is asked for the correct pronunciation, the typical response is, “Whatever is fine.” It is then that this teacher stops and, with clarity in her voice, replies, “No, it is not. It’s your name. Tell me how to say it.” Her hope in doing so is to help students understand the importance of their names. For some, she says, it is all they have.

Life is uncertain and comes with no guarantees. It holds no promise that tomorrow will be better than today. But when we are baptized, Jesus calls us by name and then gives us his name. Amidst the uncertainty of life, the name that is above all names is generously and abundantly given to us, imprinted upon our very souls. God claims us in baptism, promising us a life filled with the sound of his voice and the confidence of his presence, the one who keeps calling us by name. After all, nothing is quite as personal as a name. In the end, it is all we really have, and it is enough.

Prayer: Gracious God, you have created each one of us. You have given special attention to who we are and who we can be. We are your children, and you call us by name. Give us ears to hear your voice, hearts to know you are near, and hands to reach out to others, in the name of Christ we pray. Amen.