HE KNOWS MY NAME
BY PASTOR VANESSA WILLIS
“And when eight days were completed for the circumcision of the Child, His name was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before He was conceived in the womb.”
— Luke 2:21 (NKJV)
My husband and I have four children, three daughters and one son. With each pregnancy, we chose a boy’s name, because we believed we were having a son. We did not consider any girl’s names. Each time we had a girl, we were without a name for our precious daughter. We flipped through the baby name book to find a first and middle name that went well with our last name to see how the names flowed. But more importantly, we wanted names that had meaning, names that would speak to the character and destiny of our baby. God gave us the perfect name for each of our daughters, because He knew them and created them to bring glory to Him.
The angel of the Lord appeared to Zacharias as he ministered in the temple. He told Zacharias that his wife Elizabeth would have a son, and he was to be called John. He would prepare people to receive the Lord (Luke 1:13-17). When the angel of the Lord visited Joseph, he told Joseph to take Mary as his wife, because “that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit, and His name is to be called Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins” (Matt 1:20, 21). God chose the names, because He knew them.
God has given each of us a name that defines our character, our destiny, and/or our assignment. Some names we share; some are different. Everyone who believes in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ is called the righteousness of God in Christ, beloved, and saints. We are called holy, sanctified, ambassadors of Christ, and witnesses of the grace of God. We have ministries within the body of Christ. Some of us are givers, healers, peacemakers, teachers, servers, etc. The list is endless. Barnabas was a peacemaker. Peter was bold. Philip was a preacher. Jeremiah was a prophet. Moses was a leader. Aaron was a helper and a priest. Whichever name, gift, or assignment we have; we are to use it to bring glory to God and to fulfill our destiny in HIm.
Throughout our lives, our names and functions change. We go from daughter or son, to spouse, parent, teacher, student, etc. It is the same in the Body of Christ, we have more than one gift and more than one function. Our roles and functions can change according to situations and circumstances. We must always remain open to the Holy Spirit’s leading. We must always bring glory to God.
Prayer: Father, help me to discover the gifts that You have given to me and glorify You with them.
