The Names God Calls Me — Judy Douglass

I use endearing names a lot: for my husband, my daughters, my son, my grandkids.

My most common name would be “Hon,” and I use it for anyone, but especially for my husband and my son. Sweetheart is common, as well as Babe. My grandboys get called Big Boy and I have nicknames for my girls.

Why? Because I am crazy about them. Using their real name is very important, but affectionate endearments also assure them of my love.

God has some endearing names for us as well. Just as He has given us many names to call Him, He has also numerous endearments for us. Here are five of them.

FRIEND

Think how we yearn to have friends—the right friends or many friends or just one or two special friends. We are looking for that bff—best friend forever, one who still loves us when we don’t deserve it, who shares and keeps secrets, who believes us and believes in us.God tells us to look no further—He is definitely our bff: “I have called you friends….(John 15:15)

Imagine: A friend of God!

MASTERPIECE

When people fall in love, funny things happen to their eyesight. All of a sudden that person who seemed fairly ordinary becomes beautiful, handsome, dazzling, awesome—and many other adjectives.

It seems like God’s undying love for you and for me has had a similar effect on His eyesight: He thinks we are gorgeous. Here’s the proof:

“For we are God’s handiwork….” (Ephesians 2:10). The word translated “handiwork” has clear artistic connotations and could easily be translated “work of art” or “masterpiece.”Isn’t that what you thought when you looked in the mirror this morning: “Wow! A work of art!” That is what God thinks when He looks at you and me: “Such a masterpiece!”

TREASURE

Do you have a treasured possession? What you would rescue if your house were burning? Something you can’t imagine living without? Sometimes you show it off. Or you might hide it or lock it up to keep it safe. It could have great value to anyone, or perhaps only to you. A treasure.

That is what God has said about His children, the Israelites, and about us: “For you are a people holy to the Lord your God. The Lord your God has chosen you out of all the peoples on the face of the earth to be his people, his treasured possession.” (Deuteronomy 7:6)

God treasures us. He protects us and keeps us safe. But He also loves to shine His spotlight on us, showing off His great treasure.

SONS AND DAUGHTERS

So it wasn’t enough for God to call us Friend. He wanted a deeper relationship. He wanted us to be part of His family:“I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.” (2 Corinthians 6:18)

We get to call Him Abba—Daddy. We can ask Him for anything. We can burst in on Him anytime. He will go fishing with us, help us learn to drive, listen to our broken hearts, inspire us to not settle but to go higher. He will always be there for us, will never abandon us. And so much more.

BELOVED

This is my favorite.

My husband shows his love for me in so many ways. He makes my coffee every morning—and keeps my cup filled. He does the dishes after dinner, fixes things around the house, takes me out to dinner, believes I can do anything—and lets me be alone when that is what I need. I think he has taken lessons from God.

You see, God is in love with me (and with you!). He wants to be with me. He whispers encouraging words to me. He calls me all these special names. He leads me into remarkable opportunities to serve Him. He reminds me that He is always looking for ways to do good to me.He calls me His Beloved: “My beloved is mine and I am his….” (Song of Songs 2:16)

One more thing: God always knows which name to call us in every circumstance.

What about you? What is your favorite name God calls you?

C2013 Judy Douglass