Names Matter.

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This sign is outside a business that used to sell items on consignment. It’s closed now, but it was once brimming with antiques, aging and ageless collections, jewelry and items made by hand. Some of the items were rare and valuable, some were just stuff. But the sign outside the business conveyed that this was no ordinary junk—these objects were special. Instead of calling this place the junk drawer, reminding us of where we put items that have no real use or home, they added a “que” to the end and all was magically transformed into something of great value. It’s all in the name!

Yet no matter what the name, it’s still just junk to many people. After all, someone is selling these things because they don’t want to give up valuable space to store them anymore.  Fortunately, it’s true that “one man’s trash is another man’s treasure.”

“But now, O Jacob, listen to the Lord who created you. O Israel, the one who formed you says, ‘Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you. I have called you by name; you are mine.’”   Isaiah 43:1 New Living Translation

“And I will give you treasures hidden in the darkness—secret riches. I will do this so you may know that I am the Lord, the God of Israel, the one who calls you by name.”
Isaiah 45:3 New Living Translation

Aren’t we blessed to be Christ’s treasure? We are so valuable to Him that He gave up His very life to create a place for us in heaven. He added the perfect ending to our name—child of God—and that makes our name the most special. He knows us by name because He chose us to be His children. It’s even written down in His special book that we will be His forever. So rejoice! No one belongs in a junk drawer, no matter how it’s spelled. Our value is unsurpassed in God’s eyes! No matter what we call ourselves, Christ names us His own!

Text and photo copyright by Desiree Bustamante