What's in a name?

This was originally posted on the Christian Vision for Men blog by Alex Willmott - Post

She can say “peas” which doubles up as the word please, “chocolate” a word which will become imperative vocab as she becomes a woman and the customary “mum” and “dad”.

Fi is just 17-months-old and I have had the honour of being her friend since she was just seven months. I knew we’d be friends when I discovered one of her hobbies was waving her hands at the dinner table and impersonating a wild banshee…an art I have been mastering since I was her age.

Her parents feed me every Wednesday evening which involves me sitting at the table with Fi and her four older siblings. (As you can imagine it’s a peaceful affair). I sat next to Fi and helped her conquer the pasta challenge which saw her decorate my suit with her unwanted mouthfuls once again.

She was humming a little tune as the older folk chatted about Jesus. I too hummed her little tune which she found most interesting. In fact, she lit up at the thought that I could repeat the composition she had created. The family grew quiet as they watched a 25-year-old Welsh man mimic a child. I would have been slightly embarrassed but a 17-month-old gives men the licence to be childish once again. She scanned the table to see all eyes on her. She smiled before saying something which I will remember for the rest of my life.

In the silence, after she had met the gaze of all her family and her Welsh journalist friend, she said: “Alex.”

The whole table took a breath. As a man who cries at certain films, big sporting events, and anytime the Welsh National Anthem is played, I had to work seriously hard not to blub. My name is now one of the few words little Fi can say.

Gents, with this in mind I want to remind you of something which is true. The creator of everything in the known and unknown universe knows your name. He says it when you wake up groggy from your late night. The moment you address him in thought or word he says it. The second you are reminded of his forgiveness, his sacrifice, his unconditional love and grace, he says it. He is the most personal being that has ever been.

He is the most emotional, most alive and most welcoming creator we could ever hope to have authority over this world. The Lord Jesus, the Father, the Holy Spirit who carries out the will of God, knows your name. We do not worship an estranged dictator or a flippant politician who cares for numbers and obedience only. The Lord is not sitting pretty at a distance wondering what your needs in this world are. He does not wait anxiously for you to slip up to impose guilt in a world which preys on the weak. No. He knows your name. He loves your name. (Yes, even yours Clive).

The Lord who spoke to Moses speaks to us. Be encouraged gents. During the Exodus (Chapter 33:17 to 20) “The Lord said to Moses: I will also do this thing that you have spoken; for you have found grace in My sight, and I know you by name. And the Lord said: “Here is a place by Me, and you shall stand on the rock. So it shall be, while My glory passes by, that I will put you in the cleft of the rock, and will cover you with My hand while I pass by.”

Peace.