Ethics Class - Naming

I felt like our Ethics class on Wednesday was meant just for me. First of all, it was a very interesting class on the whole concept of naming (which I'll elaborate more on), but I also made a few contributions to the class that really made me feel good about myself. I was wondering if I, a non-student-for-so-many-years would have anything to contribute. But I was encouraged this week that I would have A LOT to contribute, coming out of 8 years of ministry and 29 years of life experience. So being brave and making a comment brought a boost to my esteem. It's better to go out on a limb and say something, than to hide and rob everyone in the class of my perspective (whether it be clear or totally wacked out!)

This past class was on the concept of naming. Basically, all of us are named by God, that we have a purpose and a special calling. And the people in our lives, who know us and are sensitive to God, can see who we really are and then call us. Some of us are called teacher, some of us are called caregiver, some of us are called merciful...each has a unique name. On the flip side, all of us are un-named throughout our lives, like stupid, fat, lazy, worthless. And we spend much energy either carrying around those unnecessary names, or trying to remove them. It kind of reminds me of that milk commercial a couple of years ago where the camera kept taking shots of shirt labels falling to the ground that read, "nerd", "loser" etc. and people walking away from their un-named labels.

The quote (from a past student in the class) that I loved that summed it all up was:

"Naming is a loving process of liberation for both the sender and receiver, for by recognizing and affirming another, both people can embark upon and continue upon the process of discovering God's design for them".

Another quote from the book that we were discussing also brought it home for me.

"A namer has to know who people are, and who they are meant to be" A Wind in the Door (L'Engle, pg 97)

I realized that the people who are in my life are tools in helping me find who I really am. Isn't it amazing to have friends in life who can do that? That they can see you, regardless of the flaws, and look at you the way that you were meant to be looked at and name you. That when they affirm you in your life calling, that they speak words of power and empowerment. Thank you!!

And so I got to thinking about how a few months ago I really struggled with my identity since I always wrapped who I was into what I did. But I realized that it's much deeper than just what I do on an everyday basis. Who I am was set out by God as soon as I was conceived. I have gifts and talents that reflect my true name. Many times I have been named, but like so many others, I'm definitely a person who struggles with all of my un-names. Our professor, Mark, put it really clearly, like when you are un-named, it puts a layer on you, and so when you are named, it's like peeling an onion to reveal the true person on the inside.

When Mark played the song, When you Call my Name by Brian Doerksen, it really spoke to me. I was very moved and realized that God had brought me to this class not only to learn something about Ethics, but to learn even more about myself and my God.

For when You call my name I can see again.

Who You are and who I’m meant to be.

And as You beckon me I am free to see

Who You are and who I’m sent to be.

I am seeking true identity in the light of Your presence.

I am longing to know how You see me.

In the time that You have given me,

release the strength to follow.

And the grace to be who You say I am.