Called By Name

Our son is fascinated with cars. Matchbox cars in particular. There’s no telling how many matchbox cars he’s acquired over the five years of his life, but I’m going to venture and say that he has approximately 52, 491 of them. Give or take 10. Ironically, that’s also about the number of times I’ve stepped on them.  

He sleeps with a few under his pillow at night. Brings one in each pocket when we go out.  And I constantly find them all over the house. Under my pillow.  In the freezer.  In every crevice of the couch. And lined up on the windowsills because “they want to look outside too momma.”   

What’s fascinating to me is if you ask him about his little cars, he knows exactly where we bought each one, or who gave them to him. And he knows every detail about them.  

Recently, he had a giant pile in the playroom, which looked to me like a colossal mess. All I saw was a mass of color and wheels that was starting to ooze out into the living room.

But when my son looks at this crowd of cars, he sees it differently.  

He sees the light blue car with the broken windshield, the one his grandma gave him.

He sees the little white pickup truck with a scratch on the side mirror and  a stuck rear wheel.

He sees the red ambulance; the number 47 on it’s hood is now barely visible, but it still has so much life left in it.

How often do you feel like you are moving through life with a broken windshield, the number 47 on your side worn off, and your rear wheel  stuck?

I absolutely love the scripture in Luke that tells us  “Indeed the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not be afraid, you are worth more than many sparrows” (Luke 12:7).

This is a scripture to keep close and treasure because it touches on the intensely personal relationship that God has created all of us to enjoy with Him.  It transcends circumstance and time, it brings security, delight, confidence, and praise. It reveals the very heart of God.

When reading through the gospels, it’s indescribable how Jesus seems to know everything about everyone he meets.  He knows!

Think about the Samaritan woman at the well when Jesus reveals to her amazement that He knows she has had five husbands (John 4:18).

And when Jesus was sitting with the disciples, he looked at Judas and said, “Judas, you will be the one who will betray me” (Matthew 26: 21).

And Nathaniel, Jesus describes him as a true Israelite, “in whom there is nothing false. ‘How do you know me?’”  Nathaniel asks in complete shock  (John 1: 48).

What a glorious revelation!  He knows me by my name. I'm not a symbol, not just a number, not just one amongst the crowd. I belong to Him, and He knows my name.

We need to trust today that this is exactly how our loving God sees us. He knows us by name – He knows YOU!

Do you ever worry that God’s love for you is impersonal and vague?  Or perhaps you trust He has a plan for everyone else but is a little clouded on the details of your own situation.  You must stop believing that lie today.

Friend, You are a treasure. A masterpiece. Everything about you is individual, distinguishing, and exclusive. Even the hairs of your head are all numbered.  

Glorify God by being yourself.  

Word of the Day:
Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.  (Luke 12:7)

Prayer:

Heavenly Father,

I pray right now that you will speak to me. Call me by name.  Help me today as I continue to grasp your deep and personal  love for me.   Help me to be secure in the knowledge that You know every hair on my head, and that You hold me securely in Your hand.  I ask this is Jesus’ name. Amen.


Author:  Rebecca Hansen

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