“And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.” Matthew 1:21

It’s All in a Name

Walk His Way Revisited
First posted in July, 2014

I grew up a Catholic and when I was in the 4thgrade, I receive the Sacrament of Confirmation. For those of you not familiar with the Catholic religion, that is when we were to receive the Holy Spirit. We chose a special confirmation name that became part of our given name. We also had a sponsor stand up with us. I chose my aunt, and the name I chose was Anne (with an “e”! Guess I thought it was more sophisticated! I don’t use that name any longer.)

As I was growing up, I told my mom I wished she would have spelled my name differently, as the way it was spelled was too plain and I thought the other was more sophisticated. Mind you, I was not a sophisticated person at all. More of a small town country girl. My mom told me she was thinking of naming me more of a country name rather than what she actually did name me, and I thanked her for not doing that as I believe I would have been teased. I laugh about it now!

When my husband proposed to me, one of the questions I asked him was if I should take his name. He thought I would automatically do that and wondered why I thought otherwise. I was wondering if I should keep my maiden name because it was my family name. I ended up taking his name.

Jesus said, “Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you; before you were born, I sanctified you (set you apart for God’s purpose)” (Jeremiah 1:5a). Jesus knew my name even before I was born. Who was I to think about changing it at all! I was set apart for His purpose with the name I was given, not any other name of my choosing.

The name of Jesus—how sweet the sound. “Inasmuch as there is none like you, O LORD, You are great, and Your name is great in might” (Jeremiah 10:6). His name is powerful. “For whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved” (Romans 10:13).

In the song “Almighty God,” we sing, “The Maker of the heavens knows my name, the Author of the oceans gave me grace. My soul, my soul will ever sing Your praise, Almighty God, Almighty God” (Psalm 61:8) says, “So I will sing praise to Your name forever, that I may daily perform my vows.”

Father, thank You for my name that I was given and thank You that You knew me before I even existed and had a purpose for me. Father, I praise Your name and I pray that I can honor You and bless Your name in all that I do and say each day. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.