I had a great great great grandpa that was a professional
golfer and bowler. I have no idea how long ago this was and I have no idea even
what is name was. From the distant stories I heard he was an extremely talented
individual. Yet I don’t know his name.
How much do names matter? Are we trying to justify ourselves
by having our name remembered? There are just as many good names people
remember as bad. For every Robinson, Owens, Bush, Graham, Ruth, Jordan there is
Hitler, Mussolini, Manson, etc. Having a name worth remembering can be a
blessing and a curse.
Thomas Crapper improved one of the greatest inventions in
the toilet. He made an improvement and created several patents that led to the
toilets we have today. Yet, sometimes you still hear, “I have to take a crap,”
which is a statement that likely goes back to World War I when American Soldiers
had to use the bathroom and saw his name on the facility. Sometimes we get a
bad recognition. Do we always want to be remembered?
The Bible is full of names of great people and some bad
people. Some people are only mentioned by there actions and this is different…
2 Corinthians 8:22…
“In addition, we are sending with them our brother who has
often proved to us in many ways that he is zealous, and now even more so
because of his great confidence in you.”
In one section of scripture two people are mention for how
awesome they are but are not given a name reference in the Bible (This is the
second one verse 18 is the first). Paul mentions these men and how great they
are, but we do not know their names. Majority of the people think this is Luke
and Apollos or someone closely related to Luke. In the end does it matter? Is
the name or the message what matters the most?
Paul gives this guy a glowing reference in life. I love how The Message talks about this guy, “We’re being as careful in our
reputation with the public as in our reputation with God. That’s why we’re
sending another trusted friend along. He’s proved his dependability many times
over, and carries on as energetically as the day he started. He’s heard much
about you, and liked what he’s heard—so much so that he can’t wait to get
there.” Names can be worth remembering in the same way actions can speak
louder.
There are times in life I have been saved by someone I don’t
know there name. When I was a sports writer, I was stranded with another writer
(Matt) in the middle of a snow storm after our car went into a ditch. Several
cars passed by us (In the middle of at least 10 inches of snow on a remote
country road) and never stopped. Finally a young lady stopped, it ends up she
was 16 returning home from work and was a young mom too. She took us to her
moms house and we stayed there till 3 in the morning when a tow truck picked us
up. I can’t remember there name for the life of me. I honestly don’t know what
we would have done if she didn’t stop. I never got their name.
Actions can be remember before names. Many times I have been
helped in life by people I don’t remember and maybe you have too. Today is a
good day to be remembered not for our name but for our actions. What can you do
to help someone out today?
