WHAT'S IN A NAME?
It may sound crazy, but if your name is “RoboCop,” don’t plan on traveling to Mexico. The name is illegal there. Or if you’re named “Devil,” stay away from Japan. You’ll be breaking the law. The same is true for “Nutella” in France, “Monkey” in Denmark, and “Metallica” in Sweden. The reasoning behind this? Let me know if you figure it out.
In scripture, God has a thing for names. Abram was changed to Abraham; Sarai became Sarah; and Jacob’s new moniker was Israel. In some cases, God determined a person’s name before they were born—John the baptizer… and, of course, Jesus.
To God each person’s name represents their destiny. Abraham means “Father of Many Nations,” which is amazing considering the fact that Isaac wasn’t even born at the time. But later Abe literally fulfilled that destiny.
Romans 4:17 states that God “calls those things which do not exist as though they did” (NKJV). The Lord often declared a destiny over someone long before it was eady to be fulfilled—giving them a name which seemed very unlikely at the time. Consider Peter. His name means “Rock.” If you’re familiar with his character, Peter was anything BUT a rock, when Jesus switched it from Simon. Just as in Abraham’s case, Jesus foresaw a destiny in Peter, he would one day fulfill. Suppose God has a destiny for each of us, no matter how unlikely it seems? God sees us as we can be; not as we are.
If you’ve never done it, look up the meaning of your name. Check in multiple sources, because it could have multiple meanings. Then ask God to show you how he wants you to live out that meaning. Do the same for your children and grandchildren. My name, Olin Barney Cargile, means “Christ Encourager, From the Castle.” My destiny is that God has called me to encourage others to follow Jesus, but not primarily within the fortress, or walls of a church building.
If you can’t figure it out, ask someone to help you. Then speak the meaning of your name, and your family members’ names over each of them, and pray for them to achieve their destiny. You’ll not only enjoy doing it, but it just might align their hearts with the destiny God has for each one. And for goodness sakes, don’t name your child, “Talula Does the Hula from Hawaii.” It’s illegal in New Zealand.
Ponder:
What is the meaning of your name?
How might it represent your destiny?
Pursue: For a deeper dive, study Genesis chapter 17.
Prayer: Lord thank you for guiding my parents as they chose my name—the name that declared my destiny before I was born. Please show me how to step into that destiny and live it out.
If you enjoyed this article, please tell your friends, and subscribe on my website, BarneyCargile.com
Check out my books on Amazon, Thriving in Quarantine and Thriving in Troubled Times. If you like them, please write a review.
Here’s the link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08BGDW2NV