A few days ago, to me, a name was merely just a name. It was something your parents named you when you were born. It was something that you signed on important documents or on homework assignments. It was something that people called you to get your attention. However, a few days ago, something happened that changed my perspective entirely on the meaning of names.

A few days back, a substitute professor came in to teach one of my classes. This professor did not teach like any ordinary professor. The first thing I noticed when I walked into the classroom was a statement written on the board as follows: "Names are holy". This automatically struck me off guard. When the professor had begun class, he introduced himself and then exclaimed that he was not going to take attendance. Instead, he began talking about the importance of names and started asking open-ended questions. When he would ask these questions, he would look around the room and analyze the students non-verbal ques. Then, he would point to a student, ask them what their name was, address them with their name, and ask them another question. After he had done this a few times, he went on to explain that he did not want to take attendance because he wanted to get to know us based upon our names. This was when "names are holy" came into play.

The professor explained that he could gather on who we were a little bit based on what our name was. Now, he didn't say that he could tell us apart because our names were different, but because our names are holy. This meaning that our names have been around for a long time and each name was created for a specific purpose. Our names have a mission, and that mission is to distinguish us accordingly among our friends, among our family, among society, and among God.

Our names create this environment and personality that best fits us, so that we are able to complete whatever plan that we have and whatever plan God has in store for us.

Our names do not define us, but they do help us develop. They are a tool that help us grow and distinguish ourselves within our atmospheres. Names do not only help us blossom, but they are also a way for God to communicate to us.

God created each and every one of us in his image and when he did this, he also created unique and valuable names so that he would be able to call upon us, his children, directly. We are called upon to fulfill whatever plan He has for us, and we do so by listening carefully for our distinctive names to be called.

However, our name's may not be heard from God's voice directly every time. We may hear our names being called through God by the military, educational fields, volunteering opportunities, etc. Whenever our name is called, that is an indication that God needs us in that particular field at that time. Although, some of us may change our "calling" a lot and that is okay because that gives us more opportunities to spread His joy and word.

Therefore, the next time you hear your name being "called" or need to give your signature, I hope you realize that your name is more than just a name. I hope you realize that your name is holy and that it is going to take you farther than you have ever imagined.