GOOD NAMES

Her name tag said “Edna,” and I was impressed by the joy and courtesy this clerk at my local hardware store showed as I hunted items in the garden section. Immediately, I thought of another “Edna,” who lived across from my childhood home. She faithfully practiced a “religion” of lodges, achieving in her old age the rank of “Grand Worthy High Priestess” of her particular lodge.I couldn't help but contrast their personalities. The local Edna treated me like I was the most important customer of the day. All I bought was rose food and shredded bark. But her customer service was tops. I commented on her name, saying I'd only known one other Edna. Neither of us knew the name's meaning.

When I got home, I did two things. The bottom of my sales slip said I could comment online about my store visit, so I logged in and praised her customer service. Survey done, I looked up the meaning of her name. I learned that women named “Edna” were found in old Bible-times writings.

One was the wife of Enoch, the great-great-great-great-great grandson of Adam, and great-grandfather of Noah. We're told Enoch lived a holy and faithful life for more than three centuries, then was taken straight to heaven without earthly dying. The other “Edna” was a wife of Isaac's hunter-son Esau, known for conflict with his twin brother Jacob, who cheated Esau of his birthright.

The Bible doesn't tell us about the character of these women, but the name means “pleasure, delight.” And who wouldn't want to have such a reputation associated with our names? On a return trip to the hardware store, I took a 3x5 card on which I'd written out the meaning of Edna's name. She'd never known its “meaning,” and flashed an appreciative smile.

My little “name hunt” reminded me of the truth expressed in Proverbs 22:1: “A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold.” I'm not saying that a particular name guarantees a blessing, but a person's good character certainly honors it.

My name, Jeanne, is a French feminine of the Bible name, John. My dad was named “John,” and I've learned it means “God is gracious.” Since I wasn't “John Jr.,” perhaps the “Jeanne” etymology from “John” influenced my parents in choosing my name.

Researching names can be quite interesting. I know I have a “name twin” (first/last) in this state who has served faithfully in her city's government. Some years ago, we met when she passed through my town. I'm grateful for her good reputation!

But this whole “name-thing” makes me think twice about people who don't live up to the meanings of their names. Or, birth names aside, they call themselves “Christian” and don't reflect the love and care of the Lord Jesus. A good relationship with a good God is a very good thing! Through the prophet Isaiah, God expressed how special Israel was to Him. He created the nation, one person at a time, and called them out to settle Canaan:

Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; you are Mine. (Isaiah 43:1)

The principle still applies. Those who are called out by God—those who wear the faith-name “Christian”--are to conduct their lives in a manner worthy of Him. Our testimony may show up in the most unusual places, like the “garden center” at a local hardware store.

The Name Game

My battered name book, which I keep
handy for choosing names in fiction.

Our son and his wife will soon welcome their first baby—our first grandchild. They had a girl’s name picked out early in her pregnancy, then learned it’s a boy. We haven’t heard their choice for a boy’s name.  Sounds like they’ve had some discussions, as my husband and I did when picking out names for our firstborn.  I remember when we told my husband’s parents the baby’s name right after his birth.  Their reaction was on the order of, “It’s what?”  “Zachary” (which means “God remembers”) wasn’t way out there, but it had no family precedents.

I had favored naming our firstborn “John” in memory of my godly father.  It’s a good, solid Bible name.  But my husband’s family line included a “John” whose reputation was rather tarnished.  So, “John” went down.  So did a pile of other names that reminded my teacher-husband of students he’d rather forget.

The other night, a newscast showed a man being arraigned for a terrible crime.  I cringed when the reporter said the accused man’s first name: “Christian.”  His behavior certainly didn’t match the standard set by our Lord.  I recalled  a story from a taped testimony by Dr. James Kennedy of “Evangelism Explosion” reputation. In it, he relayed a something associated with Alexander the Great, the famed world conqueror who lived three hundred years before Christ. Stern and ruthless, he often sentenced errant soldiers to death. One day, a 17-year-old was led before him, accused of fleeing from the enemy and hiding in the cave. When asked his name, the youth said, “Alexander.”  The king’s face flushed with anger. Exploding out of his throne, he grabbed the youth by his tunic and shouted, “Soldier, change your conduct or change your name!”

Proverbs 22:1 says, “A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold.” When, by faith in Jesus as Savior, we take the label “Christian,” we take on a good name—a Name above all names. With it comes the awesome responsibility of representing the Lord with the utmost integrity, grace, and compassion.  Our conduct reflects on our King of Kings, whose name we bear.

Do we fail Him, like that cowardly soldier? Yes.  Is He compassionate, willing to forgive? Yes, yes.  And here’s something better:  someday, the name our parents gave us won’t matter anymore.  Revelation 3:12 says God will give us a new name.  Although I like my name (it’s the feminine of “John” and means “God is gracious”), I’m confident God’s choice will be wonderful and just right!