“What’s in a name? that which we call a rose. By any other name would smell as sweet;” or so we’ve been led to believe by the Bard and many imitators. I’ve always disagreed with this thought. I believe that a name is of the utmost importance. There is something very powerful about names. A name gives the framework to an idea and substance to a feeling. When we can’t remember a name we’re left at a bit of a loss. Names indicate value and ascribe place. A name can be endearing or demeaning, can cultivate love or demoralize. Names have power! When we name something we give substance to that name. Our deep honor and responsibility is to determine whether those names bring life or death. (Proverbs 18:21)
I have been thinking a lot about what we name ourselves; about the difference between a description and a definition. If I were to ask you to describe a something or a someone you would tell me about the attributes of the object. For example, here is a description of myself: I am of average height and above average weight with curly brown hair and blue eyes, I am loyal, sarcastic, honest, determined, encouraging, funny, compassionate, cynical, and passionate about my beliefs and the people I love. As you read the above description you should have begun to get a picture of my character and personality. However, if someone asks me about myself my first response is usually about my marital status (single) and my job (admin). Have you ever noticed how quick we are to describe ourselves as though we’re filing tax returns? These words give an impression of me but they are not me. They give form but they are not the whole.
My definition, what lays down my essential nature, is far deeper than my description. You see my description is apt to change. If I color my hair, lose or gain weight, get married, change careers, become more solemn or take up a new hobby my description changes to reflect these differences. My definition is found outside myself, far beyond myself. Here is just a glimpse at my definition: I am God’s, redeemed, called by God’s name, formed by Him and created for His glory (Isaiah 43:1,7), I am known (Jeremiah 1:5), I am treasured (Deuteronomy 7:6), I am holy and dearly loved (Colossians 3:12), I am chosen (I Thessalonians 1:4), I am loved (John 3:16) and on and on. My truest self, what I have been named, is found not in my description but in my definition. The words above are my name…redeemed, loved, known, holy, chosen. I keep using myself as an example but this applies to you as well! We are so much more than how we describe ourselves.
I was recently watching a movie where several armies were coming into battle and they knew their foes by the banners that were carried. As soon as they saw the flags hovering over the soldiers they knew their foe by name. I have noticed an alarming tendency for us to allow our descriptors to become our definers, to become our names, our banners. I have friends who, like me, are single but not just on their tax forms. Singleness has become their name. It permeates every facet of their life and looms over them like a banner. Every choice is made through the eye of their singleness. The same could be said about some of my friends who are divorced or married. I have seen descriptions like grumpy or moody become someone’s name. I have seen others who have not allowed themselves the blessing of grief because they have allowed happiness to become their name. All of their choices and attributes are encompassed by a mere description. Every joy is tainted and every sorrow magnified because their name has been changed to something fleeting, temporal and unsteady. The banner over us, our name, should be something far greater and more sure. I love this description from Song of Solomon 2:4b (from the classic amplified version) “his banner over me was love [for love waved as a protecting and comforting banner over my head when I was near him].”.
I have come to love the song Good, Good Fatherª for its powerful declaration of name. The chorus is the essence of simplicity:
“You’re a Good, Good Father
It’s who you are, it’s who you are, it’s who you are
And I’m loved by you
It’s who I am, it’s who I am, it’s who I am”
That is my essential nature. It is my name, my definition. I am loved by God! As I think about it I am even more convinced that Shakespeare was wrong. My character or fragrance will reflect my name because my name defines me. If I allow myself to be defined as a thistle I am going to reflect that definition by developing prickles over time but if I know, absolutely, that my name is rose then it doesn’t matter if you describe me as a skunk-cabbage or thistle. I am a rose and my fragrance will be that of a rose. Over time, you will see that no matter how I am described I can be no less than a rose. It is who I am!
No matter what your tax form, driver’s license or resume says about you, you have a name. Learn to call yourself by that name and you will find that you exude those defining qualities; treasured, chosen, known, holy, loved etc. You’ll find that your description will change too. You may start hearing things like joyful, peaceful, patient, kind, good, faithful and so on. You’ll probably find yourself beginning to name others with the name that’s been given to you but we’ll delve into that thought next time.
Prayer, Praise, and Ice Cream 