Name, Please?

What is in a name? Many things: It can describe things; It gives a person, place, and thing meaning; It can give you an overall review of what something entails, which includes their duties, purpose, and responsibility. For example, if you are a mother or father, most people would have an instant image of you providing and taking care of your children, even if that is not the case.

Speaking from a Biblical point of view, names are very important. For example, look at how Jacob’s name was changed to Israel because he wrestled with God. Also, the meaning of Isaac’s name means “she laughed” which bears the meaning that his mother, Sarah, laughed at the Promise of God, which was her giving birth to Isaac at the beautiful age of 99 years old. It was a constant reminder of the purpose and promise behind it. One of my favorite names that describes God is a Hebrew word: Hesed. This one word has multiple meanings! It means the loving-kindness, loyalty, mercy, and many more things that God is to us. It is the representation of God in one word; one name.

So, we can agree that names give us meaning and there is a greater purpose, responsibility, and duty behind the name itself. We can also agree that when we acquire a name, it means something! It is a part of us; no longer standing alone because it has a purpose in mind, us!

But with so many names, why are some more important than others? Simply, some names have a bigger responsibility attached to them than another.  For example, there are many people that are called mothers and fathers who value their title of being a parent over their career, friends, and social ties. Yet, there are many mothers and fathers that value their career or social lives over their children.

So, why is it that sometimes the name becomes more important than the responsibility? What happened here? I can tell you what happened. It is a lack of humility… Humbleness.

Now, before you go rolling your eyes about this, give me a chance to explain.

What is Humility?

Now… I know some have heard the speech about being humble somewhere; either in the streets, or, in the church. But let me tell you something, there is a real principle to be taught and a real reward to be harvested if sown properly.

Before we begin, just for clarification: Humbleness is humility. Humility is the characteristic of being humble; Humbleness is the character and behavior itself.

On GotQuestions.org (one of the dopest websites to go to when you want Biblical questions answered), the Bible describes humility, “…as meekness, lowliness and absence of self. The Greek word translated “humility” in Colossians 3:12 and elsewhere literally means ‘lowliness of mind,’ so we see that humility is a heart attitude, not merely an outward demeanor. One may put on an outward show of humility but still have a heart full of pride and arrogance. Jesus said that those who are “poor in spirit” would have the kingdom of heaven. Being poor in spirit means that only those who admit to an absolute bankruptcy of spiritual worth will inherit eternal life. Therefore, humility is a prerequisite for the Christian.”

Humility is here to help us to become better adjusted in our lives towards God by allowing Him to do what He does in our lives and in the lives of others. This is so important to grasp because have you ever lived your life in pride or arrogance? Exactly, we all have and it’s not an easy life to live. Either you are too proud to ask or help anyone, or, you are too full of yourself to do anything for anyone. Some of us, shoot! most of us, walk around with our head held high because we are “his girlfriend”, or, “that’s my best friend”, or “I am the best at my job”, knowing good and well that we are not living up to what our name has called us to do. Then, because of the name, we end up struggling because of pride and arrogance.

We end up literally killing ourselves in the process.

Where in the world is that going to get you? We all need help from someone and we all need to help somebody. If we do not get it properly and ONLY force feed ourselves the bits and pieces of our small-portioned ego, we are going to be one starving duck who’s goose is going to be cooked!  Once we humble ourselves and cast pride and arrogance into the hands of our loving God, focusing only on Him, then life for us and those around us become much more joyful and peaceful to live.

 

So what now?

With all of this in mind, your name, or better said… YO NAME, represents the responsibilities and actions that you are to partake in, but you cannot accomplish them unless you complete them selflessly and effectively! You’ve never seen ANYONE receive a name that did not capture the duty that follows it. But you have seen a lot of people, especially at work, that take their name/title seriously but cannot put two cents towards committing and completing their work… Mhmm, “they” just popped into your head didn’t they? You know exactly who I am talking about.

But think about it… If you had the power in giving someone a name, you would never give them a name outside of their purpose, responsibility, action, and duty. For example, would you go around your calling your best friend your acquaintance? Or, would you call acquaintance your best friend? No, I am sure you wouldn’t! They are two different names, two different meanings, two different purposes in your life. They both serve two completely different areas of your life.

Once you realize that yo name is not only about you, but it is just the dwelling place of your purpose and destiny, you will take the meaning of the name more seriously than just the name itself. This is simply because no one can carry and do things like you and your name, whatever yo name may be. It was specifically designed for you, from God, to handle. Once, “…we recognize our lack of merit and our complete inability to save ourselves. Then when He offers the grace and mercy of God, we accept it in humble gratitude and commit our lives to Him and to others. We “die to self” so that we can live as new creations in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17). We never forget that He has exchanged our worthlessness for His infinite worth, our sin for His righteousness, and the life we now live, we live by faith in the Son of God who loved us and gave Himself for us (Galatians 2:20). That is true humility.”  Man… talk about humbleness.

Additionally, humility will identify who you are, even if you are faking it. People, Christian or not, can ALWAYS tell when a person has true humility. If you have been faking it, you will not get away with it for long, and you may not be getting away with it now depending on who you “think” you are fooling. Mmhmm.. I am talking to yall too!

But I promise you… Once you capture this, meditate on it, and have it on the inside of your heart, this will humble you and your name, fo sho! Don’t worry about the name and how good it will look. Worry about how bad, embarrassed, and straight foolish you will be if you don’t. No need to worry about your reputation if you gotta let that name go; God will be sure to showcase who you are with no extra work on your part no matter what.

 

Stay at Peace, Fam!

With Love,

T.