Your Name

by Erik Carlson

On Wednesday night we had our first night of virtual Youth Group. For it we watched a NOOMA video, called “Name.” This is one of my favorite NOOMA videos to show my students. Rob Bell, the creator of the NOOMA series, discusses the story of Jacob and Esau and the topic focuses in on what is in a name. First, he tells us how Jacob at the beginning of his life, tricks his father (to get his blessing) by pretending to be his brother Esau. His father asks him who are you, and he responds with his brother’s name saying, “I am Esau.”

Rob Bell zeros in on the question, what is in a name? How much a name meant to people specifically in Biblical times. He also dives into identity and how we can identify with our name. Now, a quick google search says that my name means “ever, always ruler,” but that is not what we were talking about last night. We discussed the meaning of our/your name; when someone hears your name, what do they think about.

When someone hears our name, there is a unique history that each of our names carry, as there is a completely unique path that each of us follow. Now we may not be proud of all of our history, just like Jacob was not proud of the fact that he stole his father’s blessing from his brother and ran away, but we should claim it, and by claiming it learn and grow from it.

At the end of the story with Jacob he wrestles with an angel all evening asking it to give him a blessing. Finally, in the morning the angel asks him his name and he finally responds with his name, “Jacob.” He has finally claimed his past and can grow into his future.

When someone hears my name, I hope they think about a man that is filled with joy, is kind, passionate, and Christ centered. What do you think or hope that people think when they hear your name?

In peace,

Erik Carlson
Student Life Coach

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