What's In Your Name?

“What’s in a name?” asked Romeo in one of Shakespeare’s plays. He then answered his own question by saying, “A rose by any other name would be as sweet!”

But there is something interesting in a name.

A name sets people, places or things apart. A name designates or describes, it represents or restricts, it gives an identity to or information about people, places or things. When someone calls us by our name, we respond, wondering what they may want. When people speak of us, they have some ideas about us in their mind – perhaps an image that represents us to them.

There is a man in the New Testament who was given the name, “Joseph.” That name means “one more” or “he will add” or “may he add.” To his family he was “one more.” But the disciples saw that “he will add” to what they were doing.

And what did he add? Encouragement! So, they changed his name to “Barnabas,” which means “Son of Encouragement.” He encouraged everyone.

When people think of us, what comes to their mind? What does our name represent to others?

Prayer: Father, fill our lives with Your love, grace and beauty. When others call our names to mind, may we represent only those qualities that they see in Jesus Christ, our Savior, in Whose Name we pray. Amen.

Scripture for Today: Acts 4:36-37