Years ago, my husband and I had a long list of names we’d compiled just before our first son was born. We wanted a strong name-something with meaning. Like so many parents before us, we hoped to provide our child with a title that not only fit him but also one he’d grow to live up to over time. A few years later, we went through a similar struggle searching for the ideal name to bestow on the next little boy who would join our family.
Many of you can relate to this search for the “perfect” name. Others may be years away from these concerns, but we can assure you that a similar pilgrimage will be part of your parenting journey, too.
Yes, a good name is hard to find-but what’s even more challenging is striving to make sure our lives leave a lasting legacy-especially because of the name “Christian” that we bear when we believe in Jesus. Because of Christ, each waking moment affords us the opportunity of affirming our faith and bringing glory to the One who has chosen us to be part of His forever family.
The Bible is full of verses that remind us of the relevance of a good name. Here is one of our favorites:
A good name is more desirable than great riches;
to be esteemed is better than silver or gold.
Proverbs 22:1
We only need to look back in history to realize there have been plenty of people who experienced great fame and fortune but couldn’t purchase a good name for themselves. And, sadly, many of us know individuals who claimed to be Christians-but their actions sullied rather than sanctified that name.
These thoughts should also cause us to reflect on how we are choosing to conduct ourselves each day. Is Christ’s name glorified as we walk through our world? Is our Father pleased by what we say and do, day-in and day-out? How can we improve the legacy we are leaving so that, when we’re gone, our impact for God won’t be?
You see, long before you were born, the Lord was well-aware of what you’d be called. Carry His name well, fellow Christian-and let’s make sure Jesus isn’t hard for others to find.
Thought of the Month
See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is.
I John 3:1-2
