Making a Name out of Namelessness

and gave him the name that is above every name,
that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth …
Philippians 2:9-10

Ever feel invisible? Pointless? Nameless?

Nameless became its name.

I have. I believe most everyone has.

A few days ago I was privileged to attend the Open House of Nameless School, the original school house in the once-upon-a-time community of Nameless, on Nameless Road in NW Travis County, Texas. A group of gracious ladies, , adopted the 1909 one-room school house as their own and hosted an open house to introduce the public to the historical site. The most unusual name has, as you might imagine, a colorful story. The Texas historical marker explains. 

Even the paddle has a name.

As one of the guest authors for the book fair held inside the school, I noticed everyone had names. The road, the school, and the Friends. The authors, their books, and the guests. Even the old-fashioned paddle: Discipline. 

Matter of fact, I chose Ella Jane as the name of the heroine of The Calling of Ella McFarland to honor my maternal grandmother, Ella Jane. Why? Because she left a name worthy of a great-great-granddaughter–my granddaughter, Ella Jane. 

When my husband and I were traveling to the site, we looked for the names of the highways and roads. We were relieved when we found the sign for Nameless Road. Couldn’t be far now. And we smiled when we saw the sign with the name of the school. The Friends of Nameless School wore name badges. I wrote my name inside the cover of my novel. The guests at the Open House introduced themselves, and so did I by using our names. We authors printed our names on card stock. And folks all over the place were calling one another by their names. 

Isn’t it ironic that Nameless School’s namelessness constitutes its name?

All of which reminds me that God doesn’t leave His children nameless. In fact, He values names. At the dawning of time, He named Adam and Eve, and Adam named the animals. (Genesis 2) Each of their descendants has worn a name, some of them chosen by God, others for the meaning of the name or an event. God ordained a long list of , each of them chosen to convey meaning. 

Thankfully, no one who has chosen kinship with the Lord Jesus Christ has to worry about namelessness. On the final day, we won’t be called Nameless; God’s name will be written across our foreheads. (Revelation 22:4). And the names of the saved will be written in the Book of Life. (Revelation 21:27)

Without Jesus I would be nameless. (Tweet That!) With Him I will have the Name Above All Names written on my forehead. And my name will be written in the Book of Life. 

Thank God!

Remind us of these truths, Lord, when we feel overlooked or nameless. May anyone who has not yet named Your Name do so today. For Jesus’ sake

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