Who gave you your name? Parents often connect us with others by the name they give us, the name of a grandparent or mother's maiden name. Some of us have wonderful stories to go with our names. A few of us have changed our names, giving ourselves monikers which resonate more closely with whom we believe ourselves to be. We celebrate the name of a child in baptism, acknowledging him/her to be "child of the covenant." Our family name connects us to that intimate community which shapes and forms us. Some choose to change their name in marriage or to add a new name. A name signifies a relationship. We don't know someone until we know their name.

Lately, I've been thinking a lot about the name of God or more appropriately, the names of God. We call God by various names: Holy One, Yahweh, Lord, Jehovah. Our favorite names for God are Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The trinity is our way of expressing the multi-faceted reality of One.

We know ourselves in relationship to the One and express that relationship in the names we use: Creator, Redeemer, Sustainer, Comforter, Protector, Guide, Savior, Sovereign, Shepherd, Master, Teacher, Counselor. The name we use reflects our present awareness, the way we are experiencing God. The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)'s policy on inclusive language states, "Our language about God should be as intentionally diverse and varied as is that of the Bible and our theological tradition." Our God is a God of many names, names we have given to God.

There is one passage in the Bible that reveals God's name. Exodus 3:13-14, "But Moses said to God, "If I come to the Israelites and say to them, "The God of your ancestors has sent me to you," and they ask me, "What is his name?" what shall I say to them?" God said to Moses, "I Am Who I Am (also translated, I Will Be Who I Will Be)." He said further, "Thus you shall say to the Israelites, "I AM has sent me to you.'"

The God who is, the One who will not be controlled, is the One whom we worship. The many names, the metaphors we use, provide us with a glimpse of this awesome God. God is infinite mystery. But we have glimpses to which we attach names. The glory of God is more than we can behold. No one name can capture the full reality of God.

Women's Ministries provides a pamphlet, Well Chosen Words, which provides insight into the language we use about the people of God and about God.