What’s in a Name?

 

What’s my name?

What’s my name?

Say it louder!

What’s my name?

What’s my name?

Feel the power! 

No one’s gonna stop us 

Soon the world will be ours

What’s my name?

What’s my name?

Have you ever looked up what your name means? Sometimes it’s something epic, other times it literally means tree.  There is power in your name.  In the Bible, God was very specific with the name for some people. He changed Abram’s (meaning exalted father) name to Abraham (father of a multitude), He changed Simon’s (one who hears) name to Peter (Stone).  God also had people named specifically. He told Mary Jesus’ (to deliver)  name and had an angel tell John’s (God is gracious) parents his name. So why? Aren’t names just words? 

In Descendants 2, Uma, Ursula’s daughter, has this whole song about what her name is. It is a great song and will get stuck in my head for hours. However, if you look beyond the beat and pay attention to the words, it gets interesting. Uma is trying to figure out her identity along with her crew. She is talking about the future and how things are going to change for them. They are, “gettin’ tired of the disrespect,” and Uma is going to be in charge without needing to, “wear no fake crown.” She tells the crew to feel the power as they call out her name. 

Even watching the scene, you can witness how Uma’s confidence begins to soar the longer they are singing. Uma is getting a purpose, a goal to work towards. God does the same thing when he changes or gives people a certain name. He is telling us who we are. Sometimes names remind us of the promises God has given or a message he has told us. 

There is also power behind how we think about ourselves. If we are constantly calling ourselves lazy, then we will soon become that. Other people may call you worthless, and the longer you hear that, the harder it is to not believe that. This is why God tells us in Proverbs 21: 23 to “Watch your tongue and keep your mouth shut.”( NLT translation) We affect people more than we think. We have to be careful with the names we are using. If we are not careful, some names distract us from the identity God has given us. When we are meant to be God’s light to the world, show how God’s hope is fulfilled or how God works with little faith, we sometimes give in to the lies and instead show depression, anxiety, and worthlessness. 

What does your name mean? What does God call you? We are God’s heirs. We are his children. God has called us the salt and the light. We are named Peacekeepers. We are meant to be Christians which means Christ like. Not how other people define Christ, but how the Bible has shown us Jesus lived. 

Be mindful of your words. They are more powerful than we realize.