Named

Name. I have spent a lot of time over the last two years thinking about this word. I have even written about it a few times. Or, if I am completely honest, more than a few times.

Merriam Webster defines name as:

-a word or phrase that constitutes the distinctive designation of a person or thing

-a word or symbol used in logic to designate an entity

-a descriptive often disparaging epithet

-an illustrious record

-appearance as opposed to reality

-one referred to by name

And even as I read all these definitions, it stood out to me. Each and every one applies to me. To us.

When I say name. I do not just mean our birth-name, given to us by our parents. The ones that fall under the first definition. I mean the names we latch on to. The names we call ourselves. The names we use to describe ourselves. The names given to us by others. The names we allow ourselves to believe.

Names such Athlete. Wise. Famous. Creative. The kind of names that fall under the category of "an illustrious record". The ones that make us feel important. Special. The names that build us up. Yet are based on outward abilities. What others think of us. And though they may be true, they can be lost or lose their value.

Then there are those names. You know the ones. They fall under "a descriptive often disparaging epithet". Worthless. Broken. Stupid. Lost. Failure. Abandoned. Rejected. Crazy. These are just a few of the names I have let define me. I have allowed to become part of my reality.

Names that are not names. But lies. Lies I've let sink to my heart and soul until I believed that was who I was. Who I am.

I've had a song playing over and over again this week. "Name" by Nichole Nordeman. And it brings me to tears every time. Because way too often, I listen to the shadows. I listen to what they say I am. I listen to the father of lies instead of the Father of the Universe.

And this week. Even though I was listening to this song. I listened to those lies. Those names. And I let them define me.

So even though I must do it over and over again. And that itself is a battle. I cast off those lies. Those names. And replace them.

Because the reality is. I am named. I have been named by my Abba Father. And He calls me Chosen. Beloved. A daughter of the King. Warrior. Found. His. Blessed. Whole. And worth so much, He paid a price of blood for me.

And these are not just my names. These are names that belong to ALL OF US!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7O4MhbHTWZI "Name" by Nichole Nordeman