Names are important to God. The name we receive and live our life being called by others is important to us. We are known and associated by our name. My name Brant is interesting. It is a very short, easy to spell, easy to pronounce name – but it is very uncommon; at least it has been throughout my life.
And because my name is uncommon, it is difficult for people to grasp, and to remember. Looking at information on the internet, it appears that my name is often at the very bottom of the list in popular names used. I often think to myself – if someone knows, remembers, and calls me by my name, that someone is a friend.
So because my name has been often forgotten, mispronounced, or ignored because people cannot remember it, say it, or pronounce it, I have developed a habit of spelling my name when someone asks. I do not know if that helps them remember, but it makes me feel better that I tried to help.
If I am having trouble remembering someone’s name, I sometimes ask them to spell it for me, especially if it is not easily figured out. That helps me to remember.
Remembering other people’s names is an important way we can make others feel important. Philippians 2:3 in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than themselves.
As we were traveling through the province of Ontario in Canada, we came to the county of Brant. And there was my name in big, bold letters. Not ever seeing this before, I wanted to get my picture made beside it. Then as we traveled through the county, I began to see my name in many other places on signs. The road signs, the water tower, and many of the businesses used the name Brant in their business. This is often the case in many cities or counties, to use the name of the county in the business name. It has just not been my name that was listed on all the signage.
As we drove along, I began having a special feeling about my name. I have always liked my name even though at times it has been an irritation, because it caused other people problems. But as I saw it listed over and over and over, I had this new thought. I could move to this county and something would be different for me. I could tell people my name and they probably would not get that look on their face that I often see. That look that says I didn’t quite catch that, or how do you pronounce that, or I never knew anyone with that name before (I don’t mind that they think this because I never knew anyone personally with the name Brant either until he was born when I was around 23. He was not named after me, but through my parents I was told that the mother asked if I would mind if she used that name).
So what would be different for me if I moved to Brant County in Ontario, Canada. I could tell people my name and they would probably act normal. Just like most people do when you have a common name and tell others. People might even think that maybe my name had something to do with the county and that maybe I was somebody important.
Now, isn’t that what God wants us to think and feel. That we are important to Him. Our name was probably given to us by a parent, or relative, or maybe a friend of our parents. But in reality, the name we receive is the name that God gave us through someone. And God wants us to know that He loves us and that our name is important to Him. He even tells us that he has a Book of Life, where the names are recorded of those who will inherit life eternal. Philippians 4:3 And I intreat thee also . . . whose names are in the book of life.
I also noticed in Brant County that they have done something that is common to many other locales. They choose a phrase or a line that describes their community. In Brant County, they use the phrase “Simply Grand.” So this was the icing on the cake. My name listed everywhere, and often beside it “Simply Grand.” This too is how God wants us to feel about ourselves. That to Him, we are simply grand. He loves us, He has a plan for our life, He gave us our name, and He wants us to honor Him with our life.
Let’s commit ourselves to this task together. As the Scriptures tell us, Hebrews 3:13 But exhort one another daily, while it is called today. Hebrews 10:24-25 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: 25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
