What's In A Name?
by Marianna Meachen, Director of Care Ministries
Have you ever had your name misspelled or mispronounced? Or have you been called by some derivative of your name, or a name that starts with the same first letter? I have spent my life correcting people as they mispronounce my name. “My name is Marianna, it has an A at the end, not an E."
“Marianna” is spelled as one name. My family has always called me by that name; they never shortened it. I have been called almost every M name you can list–– Marianne, Marian, Mary, Marlene, Martha, Margaret, and even Merridee. Then if you add my surname, which is Meachen, it gets worse. Meachen somehow becomes Meachan, Meachum, and even Machin.
Our names are an incredibly important part of our identity. They carry deep personal, cultural, familial, and historical connections. They also give us a sense of who we are, the communities in which we belong, and our place in the world. Our names give us stature and status.
That is why I love the different Scripture names for God. He is referred to by more than just a single name. One of the ways God reveals Himself to us in Scripture is through His names. Each of these names has significance. They describe His nature and His character. Each of God's names tells us something important about God, and how He relates to us.
Meditate on one of these names today:
Abba: Father
Alpha and Omega: The Beginning and End
Attiyq Youm: The Ancient of Days
Christos: The Anointed One
El Chuwl: The God who gave you Birth
El Deah: The God of Knowledge
El Elyon: The God most high
El Olam: The Everlasting God
El Roi: The God who sees
El Shaddai: God Almighty
Elohim: The Creator
Jehovah (Yahweh): T he Self-existent one
Jehovah-Bore: The Lord creator
Jehovah-Jireh: The Lord our provider
Jehovah-Nissi: The Lord our banner
Jehovah-Rapha: The Lord our healer
Johovah-Rohi: The Lord our shepherd
Jehovah-Sabaoth: The Lord of hosts
Jehovah-Shalom: The Lord is peace
Jehovah-Shammah: The Lord is there
Jehovah-Tsidkenu: The Lord our righteousness
In all of these names, there is a God who loves us, who chose us and called us to Him. Our response to this God of wonder, love, mercy, compassion, and grace should always be:
Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. (Deuteronomy 6:4-5 NIV)
Prayer: Abba, You are our God and we glorify You in all we do. During this season of Lent, may we always remember Your many names, characteristics and attributes, and Your unparalleled love. Thank You for loving us, caring for us, and sending Jesus to die for us. May we sing Your praises forever. In Jesus’ Holy name. Amen.
