I was recently asked to do a reflection on my name for a class that I’m taking. It turns out that reflecting on your name not only helps you make a connection with what your parents valued as they brought you into this world, but it can also lead you to discover what you value now.
I’ve always liked the name “Lisa.” As a child, I soon realized there wasn’t much the other kids could do to the name to tease me, as children often do to one another. I would sometimes hear the occasional, “Hey, Mona Lisa!” Truly this never bothered me, since it only linked me to a famous piece of art. So “Lisa” has been a solid name that I’ve enjoyed owning. My name is derived from the name “Elisabeth” and means “consecrated to God.”
When you speak someone’s name, think of all the things that come to mind simultaneously. It’s not simply a face, voice and demeanor, but also a flood of other feelings. Do they make you feel loved? Or does the name cause stress? I don’t know for certain what my name means to those around me. I hope for my family that it brings to mind a loving wife, mother, daughter and sister. For others, I hope it means a trusted friend and a sister in Christ. And to God, I hope it means the one who seeks Him.
What comes to mind when you think or say or pray the name of God? What name do you use? The world is full of so many different names for our God: Elohim, Yahweh, I AM, Father, Abba, Creator, Light. There are many more. Each name gives a different glimpse of what God is for the people who call upon him. God is there for us in who we need him to be.
I am usually drawn to the name “Father.” It feels intimate and reminds me that I’m a child of God. Lately however, I’ve been reading the Old Testament for my class and that familiar passage in the book of Exodus, where God calls himself “I AM” comes to mind. This is the story where God reveals himself to Moses in the burning bush. [See Exodus 3:4-22]
So, if your remember, God calls Moses and introduces himself as the God of his father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. God defines himself through names that Moses can identify with.
Then he gives Moses a job. God has heard the cries of his people and understands their suffering. He tells Moses that it will be his responsibility to lead them out of slavery, out of Egypt and to a new land—a land flowing with milk and honey.
Moses asks God, “When I go to the Israelites and say to them ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ if they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ what am I to tell them?” God replies, “I AM who am.” The he adds, “This is what you shall tell the Israelites: I AM sent me to you.” [Exodus 3:13-14]
So many things speak to me in this story. God gives us first a point of reference as to who he is through the familiar. He is the God of their fathers—Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Then he says something seemingly simple, “I am who am.” A statement of simply “being.” “I AM who am.” But, what does that mean?
After Moses first hears God’s request, to lead the Israelites out of Egypt, he questions himself. Moses says, “Who am I?” Who am I Lord, that you should call me and ask me to fulfill such a task? This is something I have done myself many times, when I’ve heard God’s call.
Who am I? Take notice, it’s a question full of self-doubt and worry. And…it’s the inverse of God’s name, “I AM.”
The same question that Moses asked God, “Who Am I?” is the same question I began my name reflection with. I hope that to others I’m a loving and trustworthy person. But who do they think that I am? Who do I think that I am?
I need to identify the roles that I play in life in order to find it. It’s easiest to start with my “day job.” I’m a mom, a wife, a student and a spiritual director.
But if I strip these roles away, what’s left? I’m a writer, a lay minister, a cyclist, a cook (by necessity only), a reader, and a volunteer.
Again if I let these fade, what’s beneath? I’m a friend, neighbor, member of the community, a daughter, sister, cousin and aunt.
But if I let all of these fall away, what remains? There are so many layers and ways of being. If I let myself shed all of it, really I just simply AM. This simple point does not trivialize our identity as people, but actually it has quite the opposite effect. If we allow ourselves to get to this point, where we realize that we simply are, we see the similarity with God. God not only is, He is the “Great I AM.” We are his children and we are so special to him, that he’s imbedded this concept deep within us.
It’s only when I add all of the layers upon layers of identity labels, my initial “I AM” turns into “Who Am I?” It turns out, sharing http://www.contemplativespirit.org with others is one of the ways I’ve chosen to live the most authentic version of myself–my inner truth that I am a child of God.
I invite you to take some quiet time now.
Get a piece of paper. Write down all of the identities you have in life. Start with the outer roles and move inward. What role is closest to your heart (at your very center)? What is your most authentic role?
Is there a name of God that you most connect with? If not, why? If so, try praying and calling God by another name this week and see what happens.
