What's In a Name?

The definition of a name: A word (or set of words) by which a person is known, addressed or referred to.

A name (or word spoken over your life) carries authority, destiny and vision.

In our family, the name Tramel meant something. Builders in Fresno and the Tri-counties area of California knew they could get quality steel work from the Tramel family. In our family, the name "Buck" meant something. We were Buck's kids. At one family reunion, we even wore shirts that said, "Buck's Kid" so people would know who (and whose) we were. In our household, I could use the phrase "Mom said so," and it held weight. A name carries authority.

In the Bible, David received a word from Samuel. It was one word... king! This word gave David hope and an ability to carry on. David knew Goliath couldn't kill him because he had not yet become king. A word carries destiny.

One of Jesus' disciples had a powerful name change. Simon's name became Peter when Jesus declared, "On this rock I will build my church." A name carries vision.

What does your name mean? My name, Tam, means, "Palm Tree." Ugh! I didn't think that was very exciting until I discovered that my favorite character in the Bible, Deborah, sat under a palm tree as she judged the nation, Israel. To judge, in those days, was an honored position. People came for advice, to have matters settled, and trusted the wisdom she carried. Being part of that kind of story isn't a bad thing,

A few years ago, God gave me a new word. The word was MORE. Words are a funny thing. They are just as easy to miss as they are to catch. As the word MORE began to grow, it morphed into a name. M.O.R.E. became the name of our ministry and our life calling. God showed us that there will always be MORE!

Today, take a moment to ask God for a single word, a name. It may be one you already know, or it could be something that's been waiting in the wings for you to discover. Either way, it will carry authority, destiny and vision. It will be the seed of something much bigger. Go ahead and plant your seed and see what happens. The world is waiting to see the fruit you bear.