[286 words]
There is just something about hearing your name. On some occasions, it is scary. If your mom or dad ever calls you by your whole name—first, middle, and last—you are likely in pretty big trouble.
On other occasions, it is a special honor. Graduation ceremonies are a great example of this. Why in the world do parents, grandparents, and other family and friends sit through hours of a ceremony hearing a person they don’t know reading countless names of more people they don’t know? It is because when that one name is called—the one name that is special to them—it is worth all the time and energy. For the graduating student it is so special to be recognized—to have that “I did it!” moment. When so much hard work has been put in, it is nice to be acknowledged.
It is special to hear your name called at times like this. It really is. But there is something more! There is something better! What about hearing your name called by the Lord Himself? He knows the stars by name (Isa. 40:26). He knows our names, too (John 10:3; Isa. 43:1,7;45:4).
Jesus once reminded His disciples that the greatest of rejoicing should be reserved for hearing one’s name called into the presence of the Lord. “Do not rejoice that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in Heaven” (Luke 10:20).
On another occasion, Jesus said we should long to hear these words: “Well done, good and faithful servant” (Matt. 25:21).
The Lord knows us and one day He will call our name. What will He say when He does?
Bart Warren
South Green Street church of Christ
Glasgow, KY