What's in a Name?

What's in a name? Have you ever looked up the meaning of your name? If you're a parent, did you study name meanings when naming your child, or just pick a name that sounded nice?

In Biblical times, names carried huge significance. Often after an encounter with God, He would change your name to reflect it. When God came to Abram and made a covenant with him to make him the father of many nations through the birth of Isaac, he renamed him Abraham (the father of many) and renamed Abram's wife Sarai, Sarah (princess.)

When Jacob had a God encounter in Genesis 32, he was renamed Israel, "Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel, because you have struggled with God and with men and have overcome." (v. 28)

My name is Kelly. Kelly is a name of Gaelic origins, which means warrior, war or strife. Truly, my life has been filled with strife at times, and battles to be overcome. I recently read this verse in the Bible:

To him who overcomes, I will give some of the hidden manna. I will also give him a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to him who receives it. Revelations 2:17

This was written to the church of Pergamum in John's Revelation. But I can't help but wonder what new name I would receive. And the white stone, would it be like those "faith rocks" we see at the Christian stores? I have one, it's clear and smooth with a cross inside of it. It isn't a "good luck" charm or spiritual talisman, it's just a reminder to think about God. But I love the smooth feeling of the stone.

I imagine my own special white stone, smooth, my secret stone, with my new name on it. A name of peace and love. A special name given to me by my Savior, for overcoming. I don't know what that name will be or if I'll even get a stone. But it's something to consider.

I don't know if there's anything special about my name. But what I do know, is the Name above all Names. THAT is the name I'll focus on.

Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Philippians 2:9-11