What's In A Name?

Do you know the origin or meaning of your name? Is there a significance about the name you are known by? My name, Mary, seems like a rather plain, unexciting name, but my parents obviously thought it was a wonderful name! Not only is my first name Mary, each of my three younger sisters received that as their middle name. I just realized that I have never asked my parents why we all were given that name. We were reared in the Roman Catholic Church and I know Mary, the mother is Christ, is revered in Catholicism. I guess I always just assumed that was behind their decision. I'm going to ask my mom about this the next time I talk to her!

When I researched my name, of course the reference to that Mary was first! I didn't know, though, that "Mariology" is the body and belief of the doctrine concerning the Virgin Mary." Nor did I know "Mariolotry" is an excessive and proscribed veneration of the Virgin Mary." (http://www.faqs.org/ologies-isms/). Well this makes my name a bit more interesting I think.

Throughout life we acquire names or labels or images of ourselves. From a very early age we begin to develop a self-image that is usually reflective of the messages we receive from others. If we are told we are "daddy's little girl" and receive attention and affection from our fathers when we play that role, we may never grow out of that role. If our intelligence and ingenuity are praised and valued, we more than likely will excel in academics. If we are born into a family that is emotionally distant and undemonstrative, we may never learn to develop healthy relationships with others.

More than that, the world labels us from the moment we're born. By the time we enter elementary school, we may already have a well-developed view of ourselves--good or not so good. Our classmates often either reinforce or undermine our self-image throughout our school career.

By the time we reach adulthood many of us feel we have no worth or intrinsic value beyond the labels the world has given us. Add to that the images and messages that bombard us through media and advertisements, and by middle age we may well be living lives that are emotionally challenged and spiritually disengaged.

The good news in all of this is that we worship a God who reveals to us the world's lies. He sees us as we truly are--as He designed us to be. He knows what is in our hearts; He sees our dreams; He understands our struggling. Our God wants to give us new names! "The nations will see your righteousness, and all kings your glory; you will be called by a new name that the mouth of the Lord will bestow" (Isaiah 62:2 NIV).

The world has assured us we are ugly, fat, weak, skinny, too tall, too short, unlucky at love, a victim, an addict, a liar, you get the picture. Add your own labels to the list. God has many names as well. Elohim (or elohay) is the first name for God found in the Bible and it's used over 2,300 times throughout the Old Testament. It comes from Hebrew root for "strength" or "power." They are names He claims on our behalf. Christ, after all, died on the Cross to give us the one ultimate, true name we need: Grace!

Perhaps you feel orphaned and alone in your current life. Even if we have a spouse and children, friends and large extended family, we can feel as if we are invisible to the others in our lives. In Genesis we read of Hagar, "She gave this name to the Lord who spoke to her: "You are the God who sees me," for she said, "I have now seen the One who see me" (Genesis 11:13).

You may believe you are powerless to change your situation, to turn over a new leaf, to get out of the pit you've found yourself in. Isaiah assures us otherwise! "Do you not know? Have you not heard? The everlasting God, the creator of the ends of the earth does not become weary or tired. His understanding is inscrutable. He gives strength to the weary, and to him who lacks might He increases power. Though youths grow weary and tired, and vigorous young men stumble badly, yet those who wait for the Lord will gain new strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles, they will run and not get tired, they will walk and not become weary: (Isaiah 40:28-31 NASB).

Some of us may have been cheated on -- or been adulterous ourselves. Perhaps our friends have betrayed us or our employer has taken advantage of our need for a job. Maybe we are not the kind of person we would like to be. Perhaps we do things we are ashamed of and never tell another soul. That pain is deep and it's strong and it can overwhelm our lives. God not only forgives us for our sin, he heals us from the damage done to us when others hurt us. "'But I will restore you to health and heal your wounds,' declares the Lord, 'because you are called an outcast, Zion for whom no one cares'" (Jeremiah 30:17 NIV).

No matter what we've done or how long it's been since we sought His face, God lovingly accepts us back into His embrace when we seek Him. "For this is our God for ever and ever; he will be our guide even to the end" (Psalm 48:14 NIV).

Comments

[andrea perdue]

Beautiful post. Blessings and love, andrea