He Knows Your Name
For as long as I can remember, my name has caused a bit of trouble for me. You see, it is spelled T-a-r-a, which in itself isn’t an issue. It’s the way it’s pronounced that can raise attention. It’s “Tar-rah” not “Terrah” as most people with this name pronounce it. As a child, every new school year brought the painful process of teachers calling out my name, incorrectly. I felt uncomfortable and unknown. Not wanting the attention, I’d shrink down under my desk in embarrassment as my classmates corrected the issue for me.
While I never seriously considered legally changing my name, I’ve often wondered if it would make life a little easier for me. It seems no matter how many times I introduce myself with my “correct” pronunciation, people tend to ignore what I’m saying and call me “Terrah” anyway. I usually let it go, but the blatant disregard of how I’d like my own name pronounced makes it seem unimportant. And sometimes it makes me feel unimportant.
Names really do have significance. Calling someone by their correct name shows that the person matters to us…that we have been paying attention to them…that we care specifically about them as an individual, even about what seems to be a little thing like a name.
I believe that’s how Naomi felt upon returning to Bethlehem so heavy-hearted. Everyone there knew her as “Naomi” meaning “pleasant” but, she now wanted to be called “Mara”, which meant quite the opposite. “Don’t call me Naomi….Call me Mara, because the Almighty has made my life very bitter.” (Ruth 1:20) Naomi struggled to believe that God knew her or cared about her any longer. If He did, then why would all of these things have happened?
Pain was changing her perception. Through the darkened eyes of her heart, Naomi could only see the deep despair of her situation. She was not only completely broken-hearted, she was left unprotected, without provision, and heading back to a world full of unknowns. How would her former friends and neighbors treat her? How would she re-establish herself? Would she find a place to stay and food to eat? She was Mara.
Although she couldn’t see it, God had not forgotten her. He was still working! He had given Naomi a cheerleader of sorts in Ruth…her name literally meaning “close friend or companion”. Although not as familiar with God as Naomi, Ruth showed a genuine, loving trust that was greater than most would have in this situation. I wonder if she tried to smile as she encouraged Naomi to eat and rest along the way to Bethlehem. I can picture her drying Naomi’s tears as she herself was crying. I can even imagine her quietly praying for Naomi; her faith grew with each mile traveled.
What name are you choosing to be called right now? Is it one that truly defines you, or one that you’ve given to yourself temporarily because of a broken heart? What is Godcalling you? As you step through your day today, are you able to focus on Him, the one who created you, the one who named you? Or, have life’s trials made it too difficult to believe He loves you deeply and would never forsake you?
Let the words of Isaiah 43 encourage you: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you: and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through the fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you.”
He knows your name, and as believers, our names are written in the Book of Life! And no matter what name we choose to give ourselves, Jesus will always call us HIS CHILD. He cares about you. He knows you. Just as He knew Naomi.
~ Tara Dye is a longtime member of LIFE Fellowship. She and her husband Paul have three children.