Names, Sticky Notes, and Shields

Loser McLoserface and the Magical Mermaid

Last week, my daughter texted me a picture of a scrabble score sheet. The scores were annotated in two vertical rows on a sheet of paper.  Topping the lesser score, she’d written “Loser McLoserface.” Topping the winning score, (which was hers) she’d written, ta daaa…”Magical Mermaid.”

I wondered at the time if she’d chosen the names before or after the game. Knowing my competitive, wryly humorous daughter, she probably crowned herself scorekeeper and bestowed the names before the game in an attempt to psych out her opponent.

The picture she texted made me laugh. It also made me think. How did Loser McLoserface feel about being stuck with such a name? Yes, it was a joke, and yes, it was funny, but did it stick? How many of us allow others to sticky-note names on us that dictate how we act and feel? Sometimes we paste negative names on ourselves. How often do we rip off those sticky notes, if ever?  Some of us are walking around with false names pasted all over ourselves,  oblivious to the fact that we can peel them off and replace them with words of life.

Some of the names I thought about that I have consciously or unconsciously plastered all over my life might be: Shamed. Rejected. Abandoned. Depressed.  Or how about Not Good Enough. Unable. Weak. Fearful.

I don’t know about you, but I have allowed all those names to derail my life at one time or another.  But I know the possessor of the Name above all Names, thank goodness. I can run into His Name and be safe:

“The name of Yahweh is a strong tower, the righteous run to it and are protected.” – Prov. 18:10

“Who among you walks in darkness, and has no light? Let him trust in the name of Yahweh; let him lean on his God.” – Isaiah 50:10

“But these are written so that you may believe Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and by believing you may have life in His name.”  – John 20:31

And often, God bestowed new names:

“Your name is Jacob: you will no longer be named Jacob, but your name will be Israel.” – Genesis 35:10

“Your name will no longer be Abram, but your name will be Abraham, for I will make you the father of many nations.” – Hosea 1:6

I can tear off the negative, painful names that I’ve allowed to bring me to my knees in torment, and in the name of Jesus, share the freedom in His name. And HIS name is above every other name.

A quick study of Scripture reveals that Jesus rejected the negative names hurled at him during His life, and put these on instead: Healer. Deliverer. Strong Tower. Rock of Ages. Mighty Warrior. Prince of Peace. Savior. Friend. Teacher. Righteousness. Lover of  Souls. Provider. Comforter. Peace.

Names are important to God. When the challenges of life hurl names at you like “Loser McLoserface,” I encourage you to hold up the shield of faith, and deflect those names right into the ground. He has better in mind for you.

I have to admit though, I kind of like the idea of “Magical Mermaid.” I’d be okay with that one.