My family does 90% of our grocery shopping in the same store. The aisles are familiar, we have an efficient flow through the store, and we know how to best shop the sales. We also know the people. There are a couple favorite faces we look for as we tackle our errands. Specifically, we love Ethel in the self checkout and George in the normal checkout area.
When it comes to Ethel, I love that in her mature age she is fearless. She sasses my husband and gives him a hard time, which I can’t get enough of!
George, well, he is just the sweetest. He stops everything to look you in the eye and ask how you are doing. His care is genuine. He always tells us to come back again – and we always do.
Even if we don’t make it through the self checkout we will still yell hello to Ethel as we walk by. We know her name. And, if George’s line is too long and we go elsewhere we will often go out of our way to get his attention, “hey George!” and wave as we do. We know his name.
The Extraordinary Nature of Ordinary Names
Names. They are such an everyday thing and ordinary thing. However, if you stop and think about it, names hold so much. Names are a gateway to relationships, communication, and connection.
Consider how much care parents take in selecting a name for their children. Sometimes a name nods to a relative, a deep meaning, or evokes specific feelings when you speak the name out loud. A name can nod to legacy, tradition, or roots. My son carries my husband’s middle name to link them together. My daughter’s middle name is “Grace” – which carries a beautiful story of God’s grace during my pregnancy with her.
Our names as human beings matter. So do the names of God.
The Names of God Matter
In scripture we get to know the characteristics of God as His names are revealed to us little by little. It is beautiful how His names are shared in the middle of stories as He delivers, rescues, sees, supports, and loves. Just as your name, and the names of your loved ones, create feelings, tell a story, and nod to deeper meaning – so do God’s names.
Years ago my mom encouraged me to read a book called, “Lord, I want to know you” by Kay Arthur. Arthur explores the names of God, when we hear the name used for the first time in the Bible, what is happening, and what we can learn about who God is. I strongly suggest this book if you are interested in diving into the concept of God’s names! The concepts shared within the book have been so pivotal for me! When it was time to select a theme for the Growth Group that I host I knew I wanted it to be the names of God. I long for other women to grow in their knowledge of His character and how He loves them – studying His names are a great way to do that!
What’s in a Name?
You are a friend, brother/sister, son/daughter, maybe dad/mom, you could be a boss or volunteer,” too. There are many ways you show up in this world and express yourself and many names you hold. The same is true for God.
He is Abba (Father), Yahweh Jireh (The Lord will Provide), Yahweh Rapha (The Lord who Heals), Yahweh Shalom (The Lord is Peace), Father, Shepherd, Creator, Lord, Most High, Deliverer and so much more. As we know these names, we can call out to Him and connect with Him in specific ways – in relational ways.
Deliverer, I need you to set me free.
Yahweh Shalom, I am craving peace that only you can provide.
Good Shepherd, Thank you for leading me and always knowing what’s best for me!
El Roi, You are the God who sees. Please see me in my struggles and heart ache.
These names become actionable opportunities to walk closer with God as we relate to Him. I’d love for you to consider digging deeper into His names. As you do, I hope you’ll find new ways to experience His love for you. The Kay Arthur book is a great resource I’m familiar with but there are plenty of others you can consider as a guide on this journey.
As you learn more about the names of God you can ask yourself:
- What does this name say about who He is?
- What does this name say about who I am?
- What does this name say about how we should interact with other people?
I hope that today you’ll think a little bit more about how things could change if you better understood the different names for God and what they mean for you. It was a game changer for me – perhaps the same can be true for you?
