You know the saying, “A Rose by Any Other Name is Still a Rose”. That may be true, but try telling that to Rose!
Just down the Burma Road from a place heroic pilots in World War II called “The Hump” reside Hill Tribe peoples in a sequestered pocket of the world. Teaching recently in India, one of my students was a rather diminutive and demur young female who calls that place home.
I had seen her in the crowd for the few days I had been teaching but had not taken personal notice. Yesterday, she and I shared an encounter near the dining hall. She answers my polite query and informs that her name is Sing Nu. I remark that it is a nice name, repeat and pronounce it correctly. So far, so good. Next day, I see her again and gleefully offer, “Good Morning Sung Ni!” She smiles politely and gently reminds me her name is Sing Nu not Sung Ni. (Read aloud for best effect.) Apologetically, I get it right the second time.
Cut a guy some slack! I had it right when I learned it yesterday. When I said her name the second day, time had passed. Let’s be logical. Isn’t the past tense of Sing Nu, Sung Ni?
There is a profound point to this absurd yet authentic story. Scripture indicates that God has called us by name. In Isaiah 43 the Lord reminds His people, “I have called you by name, you are mine”. Later in chapter 49 He ups the ante insisting, “A mother may forget her nursing child, but I cannot forget you. I have engraved your name on the palm of my hands.” Vivid language. God has a lot on His mind, and you, by name, are part of that: even with the passage of time.
You and I live in an increasingly impersonal world where more often than not, we are identified by our account number or the anonymity of an internet username (such as the ubiquitous “Hankolulu”). Grasp the meaningful fact that God knows who you are. He knows your name. He went so far as to purchase your name with the precious Blood of the Lamb, His own Son, to be written in the Book of Life. Please know that you are significant. You matter…whatever your name is.