Make a name for yourself

“...Fear not, for I redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine.” Isaiah 43:1

“Make a name for yourself” means to build yourself a favorable reputation in a particular field of expertise or to be known by your positive character traits.

What’s in a name? Most parents think long and hard before they place the given name on their infant's birth certificate. This name will be with them for the rest of their life so it’s a big responsibility.

When I got married I took my husband’s last name which is the typical prodigal after marriage. I needed a passport shortly after so I sent in all the required information. I wanted to drop my middle name and put my maiden name as my middle name but they only changed my last name on the new document. Confused yet? My driver’s license is correct and now that my passport is expiring I’m trying to get my name the same on both ID’s. They sent back a form asking me who I was then I had to go to an agent to verify that I am who I say I am and I have yet to get the document back. Who knew changing a name would be such a big deal.

Names are important To God. When He called someone to serve, He intentionally changed some of their names to signify they were His. He changed Abram to Abraham, Sarai to Sarah, and Jacob to Israel. When Jesus called his disciples into service he changed some of their names also like he did with Peter now called Simon and Saul renamed to Paul. Each name has a meaning often describing their character.

God knows his children by our name and He has called us to make a name for ourselves. Not necessarily the way the world views a name but a name associated with strong godly character. Revelation 3:5 says, “He who overcomes will, like them, be dressed in white. I will never blot out his name from the book of life, but will acknowledge his name before the Father and his angels.” This book is a register of citizenship into the kingdom of God.

God takes names seriously and makes it perfectly clear how strongly He feels when His name is used flippantly. Deuteronomy 5:11 says, “You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God, for the Lord will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name.” He's demanding a reverence when His name is said because He is the one true God.