Last week, while I was thinking about Josiah, I began to daydream about what he would one day look or act like and how he would change the world around him. Would he have my blue eyes and my husband’s dark black hair? Would he love math and go to school to be an engineer like his father or cry at the mere thought of solving a word problem like myself?
Josiah was never on my list of names to give my future children, but after researching the meaning and learning it meant “Jehovah healed,” I knew immediately it was significant for my faith in believing I can and will be healed to conceive and have God’s promise of a son fulfilled. Sometimes, when I think back to that afternoon in May, I am in awe at how God chose my future son’s name with such purpose and significance. Right now, the name Josiah keeps me going when I want to quit and when all hope seems lost. But I know that in the future when he is no longer tucked away in my heart but also my arms, his name will also be powerful as he will be proof that God fulfills His promises and heals our bodies and wombs.
In honor of Josiah Day, I am privileged to have Evangeline Colbert, author of, “A Seed of Hope,” guest post for me on the significance and power of names.
“A good name is more desirable than great riches…” (Proverbs 22:1)
Have you started thinking about possible names for your child? If you haven’t, start doing so. Do it as an act of faith, believing you will have a child. I encourage you to recognize that a name is more than just a label or moniker. A name has meaning and power to influence. A name is actually an influence on the kind of person we become. Hidden in it are the character, authority, and reputation of a person.
In biblical times, children were sometimes named according to what their parents were experiencing at the time of the child’s birth. For example, we’re told in 1 Chronicles 4:9 that Jabez, which means “sorrow” in Hebrew, received his name because his mother gave birth to him with great sorrow and pain. It must have been difficult for Jabez to grow up hearing everyone call out to him, “Hey, Sorrow!” Fortunately, instead of continuing to live a life of sorrow as an adult, he became a man who trusted God, and he asked God to bless him greatly.
When a child hears their name repeatedly through the years, the child begins to show the characteristics that the name implies, good or bad. For instance, the name “Moses” means “drawing out.” As an adult, Moses was God’s instrument for drawing out the Hebrew people from slavery in Egypt (Ex. 2:10). The name “Joshua” means, “God is salvation.” Joshua would later become the captain of the Hebrew army. He sought God’s battle plan and then, through obedience, allowed God’s hand to move in the salvation of the Hebrews as they fought and overtook Jericho and other lands (Joshua 1-6).
Another example of the influence of one’s name is when God renamed Abram after making a covenant with him that promised a multitude of descendants. Abram went from having a name, which meant “the exalted father,” to being called Abraham, which meant “the father of a multitude.” He became the patriarch of many nations through his covenant son Isaac, his grandson Jacob, and great-grandson Judah, an ancestor of Jesus.
When the angel told Mary that God had chosen her to give birth to the Messiah, that child’s name was not left to chance. God’s plan was specific. The angel told Mary to name the baby “Jesus” (Matthew 1:21). His name has the same meaning as Joshua’s—“God is salvation.” Jesus always sought to know the Father’s plan, and as a result, He became the way to abundant life and eternal salvation for every human being. Philippians 2:10 tells us that “at the name of Jesus, every knee shall bow in heaven, on earth, and under the earth.” There is power and authority in His name!
Jesus also recognized the importance and influence of a name. When He began His ministry, he renamed certain followers to reflect better who they would become by being a believer in Him and a disciple of the His gospel of grace. The name would reflect who they were in God’s eyes, not as they saw themselves. He told Simon Barjona that he would now be called “Peter,” one who is solid and unyielding, as a rock (Matthew 16:17-18). Of course, Peter became one of the anointed leaders among the disciples after Jesus’ death and resurrection.
Do you see how important and influential a name can be? My husband and I kept that in mind as we asked God for direction and read various books of baby names and their meanings. We didn’t want to choose a “family name” or whatever name was popular at the time. We wanted to bless our baby with a name that had a positive meaning, one that would set the stage for what was ahead in his or her life. So which names did we choose for each of our children?
Nathan = Gift of God
Andre = Strong in God
Simone = One Who Hears God
Not surprisingly, their personalities and lives reflect these meanings!
Even though you may not currently be pregnant, searching for names now will be an act of faith, demonstrating that you believe that Jesus took upon Himself the infirmity of infertility for you (Matthew 8:17). It can also be a fun bonding experience with your husband as you discover the meaning of family members’ and friends’ names and see how much their personality fits their name.
Have fun with the search, and choose your baby’s name wisely!
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