The name game. Where we sit and introduce ourselves to the new faces around us. In every area of our lives we end up playing this game in some shape or form with the thousands of people we meet. Whether it’s the person at the cash register, or that girl sitting across from you that you have no idea how much you’re gonna end up loving who will soon become your lifelong friend.
I sat back at our new ministry the other day as we all introduced ourselves, and laughed and laughed because we can never pronounce each others names overseas, and I looked at how we see these kinds of moments as so insignificant. But just how much weight the moment holds. It’s the moment you intertwine stories, cultures, and lives. The beginning of you knowing someone.
Most of the time, even if we don’t realize it, someone’s name is their own favorite word. When you meet someone and the next time they see you they call you by name, you feel seen and known. Like they want to know you cause they intentionally remembered. But why do we say, “There is power in the name of Jesus”? Because of who He was. Because of His story. Because He was completely pure, not lacking in anything, and when we say His name we know it holds power because of all that He was and is.
So like Him, someone’s name holds a lot of power. Now I’m not saying we’re anything like Jesus, but when we introduce ourselves to people it’s the beginning of learning who they are and getting to know a new son or daughter of the King. Who He intricately made. Who He handcrafted uniquely in their mother’s womb.
So I’m thankful for moments like this, especially overseas. Thankful that when we have these moments that intertwine cultures and stories we get to enjoy the fact that we are from totally different places with totally different languages, but we are willing to try and speak like each other in order to understand. In order to start the building of a relationship. For the sake of Jesus.
SO all that to say. When someone tells you their name, try with all you got to remember it. Because they are His. And for all you know they could be someone you get to disciple, someone you could become very best friends with, or just someone you get to pray for because you may never see them again. As a person who loves the Lord it’s my job to just simply listen. To see people. Make them feel known. Because that’s what the Father does for me every single day. And it’s not for me to keep. It’s not for you to keep. So love on somebody today, and make them feel seen and heard. They are worth it. It could be the start of something for both of you.
