The Power of a Name

I'm no good with colors. Are these flowers mauve? Or lavender? Periwinkle? Eggplant? I give up! Let's keep it simple and call them purple. Or is that too simple?

Research shows that our ability to name colors affects whether we can distinguish between colors and remember them. The Himba tribe in Nambia has one word, serandu, for red, orange, and pink so they don’t differentiate between these colors as easily as English children who use three separate words. There is power in a name.

When I learned this, one sentence came to mind: “I have called you by name.” I was pretty sure these words came from the Bible. I didn’t remember the rest of the verse. I didn’t remember the reference. But the words spoke peace to my soul.

God knows my name. I'm not just a person or a female. I'm not generic. I'm Jennifer. God made me unique and special, and He loves me.

                But now, thus says the Lord, who created you, O Jacob,
 And He who formed you, O Israel:
 "Fear not, for I have redeemed you;
 I have called you by your name;
 You are Mine." Isaiah 43:1