“The nations will see your vindication, and all kings your glory; you will be called by a new name that the mouth of the LORD will bestow.” Isaiah 62:2
My given name is Angelica. When I was a child, there was a popular television cartoon that featured a “villain” with the same name. This was in the days when bullying amongst elementary age kids was “just kids being kids.” And so, I got called a variety of nasty names while the little jerks with nothing better to do with their creativity laughed and enjoyed their “normal” names.
At home, my parents only ever called me Angelica when I was in trouble. I was always Angel. I don’t think my sisters have ever called me by my full first name. And so, I decided if it was good enough for my family, it was good enough for the rest of the world.
From that day on, coaches, teachers, doctors, new friends, and coworkers called me Angel. When the first day of college classes rolled around and the professor inevitably asked what we liked to be called, I experienced a feeling of loss for my full name for the first time.
I’d hear “Angelica,” and think, “I wish I could go by that. What a beautiful name my parents chose and I wasted! But it’s too late.”
Working in the restaurant industry in my early twenties amplified my loss. If I had a dollar for every time some rude patron tried a terrible pick up line featuring heaven or angels, I’d be rocking a Tesla Cybertruck.
God’s word uses many names to describe Jesus, which can point us towards the invaluable traits of our Savior that are the most important. Emmanuel. Jehovah. Son of Man. Friend of Sinners.
Recently, I came across a beautiful scriptural name for women. In Genesis 2:18 it says “The Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.”
I don’t like to be considered a helper. It’s okayyyyy, but not a very exciting term or gig. BUT WAIT FOR IT. The phrase used in its original form is “Ezer Kenegdo.” It is a phrase difficult to translate into English, my friends. In its 21 other uses in the Old Testament, this phrase is used in military context to portray a WARRIOR. A complementary soldier. A mighty fighter.
There are all sorts of names we’ve been given by people. Dark, horrible, or just bland names that don’t capture or translate to the real life we’ve got waiting for us both here on Earth in God’s plan and eternally in heaven. A name has been chosen for each of us that reflects God’s infinite glory and His great love for us as His children.
While I used to long for my earthly name and mourn its loss, these days are different. I’m flexing my ezer kenegdo and trying to hold onto the promise that at the end of this life, eternity still holds a precious new name waiting for me with God.
I’m praying for all of us today, Friends. That we would lean hard into the kind, loving monikers that we are blessed with, both here on earth and awaiting us in heaven. Friend. Son or Daughter. Mother or Father. Sister or brother. Artist. Business owner. Employee. Member. Forge past the darkness of names flawed humans have given you. You are precious, loved, and a gift. Never doubt it.