What Is Your Name?
“And Jesus answered him, ‘Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you but my Father in heaven. And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it.’”
Matthew 16:17-18, NRSV
As a child, I occasionally asked my parents why they named me “Joy,” yet never really got a satisfactory answer. It wasn’t a family name and was uncommon among my peers. I’ve come to appreciate my name, but their choice of it remains a mystery to me.
When Joe and I considered names for our children, we wanted to use family names as a signal to them and everyone around us that they, having been internationally adopted, were fully part of our family. We named our daughter after my maternal great-grandmother, adding one given to her in the Chinese orphanage. Since our son’s Nepalese names derived from Hindu gods, we renamed him with only family names. We arranged for them to be baptized in their new names within days of our return home from China and Nepal, respectively.
Throughout Scripture, we read accounts of name changes. Sarai became Sarah. Abram became Abraham. Jacob became Israel. Jesus changed Simon’s name to Peter. And Saul became Paul at his conversion. Their new names reflected how God saw them.
Several years ago, I asked the Lord, “How do You see me? What name do You have for me?” I heard “Lucy.” Immediately I thought of Lucy and Ethel (from the “I Love Lucy” ’50s sitcom) at the chocolate factory and howled with laughter! I could see myself frantically trying to wrap the candies as they rolled by on the conveyor belt. While that scene played out in my mind, I heard the Lord say, “Not that Lucy. The Lucy in The Chronicles of Narnia.”
That still takes my breath away. God sees me as Queen Lucy the Valiant. Lucy who pleads for mercy for others. Lucy who notices the pain of others and is given the gift of healing. Lucy who is at first fearful, but then develops courage. Lucy who is contrite when corrected by Aslan. Lucy who is a little vain and wants to be beautiful — and whose countenance is transformed in the presence of Aslan.
How does God see you? Have you ever asked him? If you’re not in the habit of asking God questions, this is a wonderful time to start! Find a quiet place where you can be undisturbed. Ask the Spirit of God to speak to you. Then, wait and listen. You may not hear the first time you ask, but don’t let that deter you. Keep asking until you do hear. Like me, you may be surprised to hear His answer. He knows your name.
