This series focuses on, and explores, the “golden thread” of God’s love and missional heart for the world throughout the Holy Scriptures. These “What Matters?” lessons are reflections on original devotions by Dr. Robert Newton written for the California Nevada Hawaii (CNH) District when he was the CNH President. (Used by permission).

Made by God: We matter

But now thus says the Lord, “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. (Isaiah 43:1)

Thought:  We belong to God our Father. That makes us Significant

I have called you by name, you are mine. (Isaiah 43:1)

It is worth noting that God gave us two accounts of creation, each telling a different side of the same event. The first is comprehensive; the second is personal. In Genesis 1 we learn that God, the all-powerful One, made everything. In Genesis 2 we learn that He is not distant or aloof, because He has a Name: Yahweh. Knowing God‘s Name makes all the difference in our relationship with Him. He can be known. Names matter. They’re personal. Being named says, “You matter.”

I learned from a good friend of mine, Pastor Mandla Khumalo, how in South Africa (and many other African countries and cultures), names are chosen most carefully for children. They mean something. The could be a prayer for your child : “Be a light”), or “be/live as a princess of the king,” or what you pray they will become: a “Blessing”, or “you are a King,”. Names are not just chosen because they sound good with your last name.

Newton also shares this reflection regarding nick names given to children:

Most of us have pet names for our children. I have one for each of mine. I call my second daughter, “Bird.”  I‘m not sure how I came to that name. Perhaps it‘s because she is such a free spirit. Whatever the reason, the name Bird stuck and continues to stick right up to the present. She‘s married and a mother of six, but she is still my Bird.

My daughter loves that name--for no other reason than it is my name for her. It signifies a special bond that we share together. By it she knows she belongs to me, that is, she‘s treasured by me.

God says to each of us through His prophet, Isaiah, “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine.” God also tells us that He has chosen a “new name” for each of us, one that‘s unique to each one of us (Revelation 2:17). If you will, it is His pet name for you and me. It signifies a special and personal bond that we each share with God Himself. It is His way of saying to us, “You belong to Me; you are My treasure.”

Prayer: Jesus, You have made us Your own so we thank You that You have given us a name that reminds us we are treasured. Amen.