Known By My Name

Oh, the Lamb’s Book of Life, the Egyptian’s Book of the Dead, the Holy writings of God’s story with humans where older translations seem to love the word “begat.” No matter how you think about it, for millenniums, those in the know realize there is something about being known by who we are called.

It’s special seeing your name in print, but perhaps worrying that someone may know something not known by others. To some, it’s high-level knowledge, and for others, it’s the grittiness of insider knowledge that scares all of us. Regardless of who knows what…

Your name is documented for eternity.

Some halls of history may be a place of honor denoting recognition; it has a feeling of permanency. Unchangeable. Once there, it can never be changed. For all time in the future yet to come, you are recognized, recorded, and maybe remembered.

At the same time, it feels scary that someone can find out the details!

The way we like to “rewrite” history. However, some events may not be so favorably viewed in another season. Statues may be pulled down. History books may be rewritten. Awards may be posthumously recalled.

I’m just saying.
You have no recourse to what the future may say about your life!

What is being said about you today?

I found a website to investigate people. Me. You. Them. Anyone. From public records, it pulls phone numbers, addresses, dates, family, associations, and business connections… You name it, you can get this data for free. If you want more, then you have to pay.

Needless to say, I researched myself. The results are amazing! I still live in Alaska at my last known address (since 1995), and at the same time, I’m living at my current address in my present state! This site knows the states and towns I’ve lived in, but I’m sure I never lived in Hutto, TX.

The results are not perfect. Public records never tell the whole story. There’s no way to correct the errors, but then, I’m not sure I want anyone to know my whole story.

I won’t tell you this website, but if you reach out to me perhaps I’ll share over a cup of coffee.

This morning, as I felt the morning get started, this thought was mine to own. I could do with it as I will. Spend time thinking it through. File it away for another time. Or journal my way to a deeper understanding.

Does God know my name?

Let me give you some scripture to think about.

• 2 Chronicles 7:14 NKJV  if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.
• Isaiah 43:7 NKJV  Everyone who is called by My name, Whom I have created for My glory; I have formed him, yes, I have made him.”
• Isaiah 45:4 NKJV  For Jacob My servant’s sake, And Israel My elect, I have even called you by your name; I have named you, though you have not known Me.
• Revelation 3:5 NKJV  He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life; but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels.
• Revelation 20:12 NKJV  And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books.
• Revelation 20:15 NKJV  And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire.

From the beginning, when he called the first man Adam, to the end of days when the whole earth will be judged, it seems apparent God knows who we are by name, actions, and thoughts.

1 Samuel 3:1-11 NKJV

Now the boy Samuel ministered to the LORD before Eli.
And the word of the LORD was rare in those days;
there was no widespread revelation.
And it came to pass at that time, while Eli was lying down in his place,
and when his eyes had begun to grow so dim that he could not see,
and before the lamp of God went out in the tabernacle of the LORD where the ark of God was,
and while Samuel was lying down, that the LORD called Samuel.
And he answered, “Here I am!”
So he ran to Eli and said, “Here I am, for you called me.”
And he said, “I did not call; lie down again.”
And he went and lay down.
Then the LORD called yet again, “Samuel!”
So Samuel arose and went to Eli, and said, “Here I am, for you called me.”
He answered, “I did not call, my son; lie down again.”
(Now Samuel did not yet know the LORD, nor was the word of the LORD yet revealed to him.)
And the LORD called Samuel again the third time.
So he arose and went to Eli, and said, “Here I am, for you did call me.”
Then Eli perceived that the LORD had called the boy.
Therefore Eli said to Samuel, “Go, lie down; and it shall be, if He calls you, that you must say,
‘Speak, LORD, for Your servant hears.’ ”
So Samuel went and lay down in his place.
Now the LORD came and stood and called as at other times, “Samuel! Samuel!”
And Samuel answered, “Speak, for Your servant hears.”
Then the LORD said to Samuel:
“Behold, I will do something in Israel at which both ears of everyone who hears it will tingle.

AI Excerpt (with my corrections)
This piece reflects on the concept of identity and the permanence of names, highlighting both the honor and potential fear tied to being known and remembered. The author uses religious references, citing the Lamb’s Book of Life and scriptures, to assert that God knows individuals by their deeds and thoughts, not just their names. They also share an experience of using a public records website triggered by their curiosity about their own digital footprint. Lastly, the author underscores divine interactions, pondering whether worldly choices would differ if people realized God knows them by their names and actions.