Hi, my name is Deborah.  Deborah Lynn.  Pretty Southern, eh?  I go by “Debbie” which means “bee,” as in BUSY.  And I am.  “Lynn” means cascade or waterfall.  So I’m a rushing, raging, always on the go, busy girl.  Do you know what your name means?  I’ve always found it insightful to learn the meaning of people’s names and see if it corresponds with their character.  One of my boys is named “Joshua” which means “warrior” and OH MY WORD is that kid a warrior; always a stubborn little fighter!

Proverbs 22:1 says, “A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold.”

Who you are is more important than material things in life.

Isaiah 43:1 is the LORD speaking and He says, “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine.”  You are His. 

YOU are His.  You.  He loves you, adores you, smiles when He thinks of you (which is constantly).  Your picture is in His wallet.

You ARE His.  Right now.  Regardless of circumstance or feelings.  It is fact. 

You are HIS.  You belong to Him.  He is your Maker and the Lover of your soul.  The King of kings calls you His own.  Made with a purpose.

But what I wonder is what you call yourself.  Not your birthname, not “Mommy” or “Sweetie.”  Who do you think you are?  My fear is you have a tendency to call yourself “Ugly,””Worthless,””Fat,””Invisible,””Unimportant,””Tainted,”or worse.  Do you, sometimes?   I touched a nerve, didn’t I?  You wish you looked like so-and-so, or had a perfect marriage like your neighbor, or acted like a super Christian like your cousin, or wish your past never actually took place.  We start to believe the lies whispered to us.  We believe the best about others but not about ourselves. 

Here’s the good news.  God forgives and washes you clean of past sins.  He cherishes how you look because He looks at the heart.  You’re made in His image.  He knows you are worth dying for.  He is counting on you to carry out His purposes.  You are a daughter of The King. 

I never liked my middle name Lynn.  And I am apologizing to any of you named Lynn.  I know you are wonderful women!  It just isn’t ME.  Sorry, Mom and Dad.  So I was glad when I got married that my maiden name replaced it. 

Your name will be replaced one day too.  Did you know that?

Isaiah 62:2 prophesies about it.  “The nations will see your vindication, and all kings your glory; you will be called by a new name that the mouth of the Lord will bestow.”  And Revelations, the book about End Times, says in chapter 2 verse 17, “Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who is victorious, I will give some of the hidden manna. I will also give that person a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to the one who receives it.” 

You’re going to get a new name, personalized by the Ancient of Days who knows you best and loves you completely.  And I don’t dare to box God in with what that new name could be.  Somehow I don’t think He’ll use words we know.  And that increases my awe of Him.  He summons you by name.  He knows you and is calling you.  For now it’s your earthly name but my bet is He is thinking of your new name and grinning. 

Remember when you were pregnant and chose your baby’s name?  Your baby didn’t know his/her name but you did.  And you loved that name and maybe had it monogrammed or engraved on things before (s)he arrived.  Same thing with our Lord.  He is anxiously awaiting the moment when He can give you that new name.   

As believers, you do not have to wait to know that you are, in this moment, BEAUTIFUL.  INTELLIGENT.  PRICELESS.  WORTHY.  It’s not based on feelings, it’s based on fact.  Look in the mirror and see that You are His.

Check out Matthew West’s “Hello, My Name Is”: