The Power of A Name

I’ll let you in on a little secret. It’s nothing exciting or scandalous, but as hard as I try to remember names, I tend to forget them. I’ve gotten much better over the years. I meet a lot of people and I love it! Sometimes names stick for a while—until new ones come in and push them into the hidden archives of my brain. Maybe you’ve experienced this with me and I’ve forgotten your name. I do apologize. It doesn’t mean I don’t care about you. I promise.

Sometimes I’ll try one of those little memory tricks. They can be helpful. One time I was at an event and someone had name tag on that read, “Sonya - like lasagna.” At first it seemed a little odd, but you know what? It was effective. I’ve never forgotten her name! Unfortunately my memory isn’t always my friend because 99% of the time I forget the trick I used to remember in the first place. So you can see my dilemma.

I know I’m not alone, otherwise those memory tricks wouldn’t exist. Thankfully, in most cases people are forgiving when you’re caught with that rapidly-searching-your-blank-memory expression on your face. No matter how gracious someone might be though, isn’t it a nice feeling when someone remembers your name? Think about it. It might not be a big deal if they don’t, but when they do, doesn’t it bring a little feeling of ‘Wow...they remembered,’ to your heart? I think that’s because we have a connection to our name. What I mean is, when someone remembers my name, I can feel a little internal smile because I wasn’t forgotten. I feel like there was something about me that’s worth remembering.

Sometimes how we hear our name can bring up different feelings. I remember growing up there was a certain tone my dad used when he said my name that indicated his frustration or annoyance with me. Other times, it’s a sweet thing when someone special says our name, especially if it’s been a while since we’ve heard their voice. Or we wish we could hear it one more time. Sometimes, we can hear it one too many times and we wish we could change our name! If you have a demanding job, or toddler, you know what I mean here. Actually, toddlers are a demanding job! But, I think you get what I’m saying; the way someone says your name, or remembers it, means something.

One beautiful thing we can hold onto is this: Jesus knows your name. I’d also venture to say that if we could actually hear Jesus say our name it would be the most lovely, assuring, and comforting sound ever because He’s Jesus. No matter what we’ve done, said or forgotten, He will always speak to us from a place of love. Even when we forget Him. We can have that confidence because He doesn’t condemn. He calls us by name with grace.

John 10:3-4 illustrates it well. “The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep recognize his voice and come to him. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.  After he has gathered his own flock, he walks ahead of them, and they follow him because they know his voice.”

I love that! No matter where we are, how long it’s been, or what we’ve done, Jesus is waiting for us. He calls for us by name with His arms open wide. No wonder He’s called our Shepherd and Comforter.

I think a problem we encounter when we don’t hear Him, is that we live in a very loud world. But I know for me that even if I’m sitting in a silent room, I can struggle to hear God at all, let alone Him calling my name. Sometimes the hurt, frustration, confusion or random thoughts that fire off like missiles over and over can race through my mind and be distracting and deafening. Oftentimes they’re all lies. Lies that drown out the truth of God’s voice.

If any of this sounds familiar to you, I’d love to share a new tactic I’ve been trying with you. When I feel like I can’t hear Jesus, I just softly say His name. It sounds silly, but there is power in the whispered name of Jesus. Even if it’s barely audible. Because Jesus is always there. He’s always pursuing. He’s always protecting. He’s calling you by name because He knows you. He loves you.

So the next time you’re feeling a little lost in the middle of your own world, or you’re feeling overwhelmed, frustrated, hurt, forgotten, etc., I hope you’ll try my approach. Close your eyes and just say, “Jesus.” I believe you’ll feel a difference because you are valuable, deeply loved and known by God. And He wants you to walk in that truth.

And I truly hope you’ll remember this, even though you and I might have to rely on nemonic tricks or secretly wish everyone wore name tags, Jesus never forgets you or your name. You are worth remembering. Always.