What's In a Name?

Ever notice how a name can make you or break you? The Bible is full of names...and not some. And this caused me to ponder, 'what's in a name that some are named, and some are not?'

Oholiab & Bezalel are named. But do you know who they are? They are obscure names that probably no one even recognizes. Yet, nothing in Scripture is obscure is it? God ensured that they were given the credit they were due. They were instrumental because of the skills He bestowed upon them, in making THE tabernacle & the Ark of the Covenant. And they were credited by name. (you can read about this in Exodus 35:30 thru Exodus 37)

There are so many of these names tucked away in Scripture. Then, of course, there are names we all recognize ... the disciples, Moses, Saul, Abraham, David, Ruth, Mary, Joseph, Mary Magdalene, Elijah, Elisha, Adam, Eve ... you get the idea. And let's not forget the descendent's list so-and-so, son of so-and-so, that seem to drone on forever. Go ahead & admit it ... we all rather glassy-eyed gloss over those lists.

But what of those nameless souls in Scripture? The woman at the well. The widow and her offering. The woman who touched Jesus' robe. The man who was healed of his blindness. They are no less important. But why aren't they named?

Well, I submit that all of the named and unnamed are significant in Scripture to demonstrate a subtle, yet important, point. As followers of Christ, we can certainly seem obscure, yet still do great things in His service. In a crowded picture, we won't necessarily have a face that stands out. Yet that doesn't mean that there's not a light eminating from us in that crowd. A country artist, Brad Paisley, has a song entitled, "The World", where he speaks of his lady love feeling as though she's nothing special ('To the teller down at the bank, you're just another checking account', or .. 'you didn't get an invitation cause somebody left you out', etc.). Yet he then goes on to say, "it's ok if you aren't everything to everybody else, because you're everything to ME". Seriously, that's the way it is for us, in Christ. In the natural, we are just another person in the great human landscape that makes up this third rock from the sun. Yet, to Jesus, we are the world ... we're everything! We have a responsibility to let His light shine out through us.

My point is ... in the world's book, I'm definitely an obscure name. I have not goals of grandeur and fame. To my boys I'm "Mom, Omar, or Mo-Mo" (don't ask). My goal is to be called, "His". I know that my name is high enough to be His "go-to" gal when there's a situation in which He needs me to help. And that, combined with those endearing names my kids have given me, are just A-ok for me. Even if my name is never known, to be used by Him with opportunities to serve others, even if only to hold open a door with a smile for someone laden down with arms full, is rewarding and satisfying enough.

The legacy I want to leave behind is simply to touch other's lives for Him along this journey Home. HE knows my name. And really...that's all that matters in the end now, isn't it?