Progo! You said we were Namers. I still don’t know; what is a Namer?

“I’ve told you. A Namer has to know who people are, and who they are meant to be. I don’t know why I should have been shocked at finding Echthroi on your planet.”

“Why are they here?”

“Echthroi are always about when there’s war. They start all war.”

“Progo, I saw all that awfulness you took me to see, that tearing of the sky, and all, but you still haven’t told me exactly what Echthroi are.”

Proginoskes probed into her mind, searching for words she could understand. “I think your mythology should call them fallen angels. War and hate are their business, and one of their chief weapons is un-Naming – making people not know who they are. If someone knows who he is, really knows, then he doesn’t need to hate. That’s why we still need Namers, because there are places throughout the universe like your planet Earth. When everyone is really and truly Named, then the Echthroi will be vanquished.”

~ Madeleine L’Engle, A Wind in the Door

I read a book once by a man who told his children every night at bed time, “You are a beautiful, wonderful, child of God.” I thought it was a great idea. So, periodically, when I am putting my kids to bed, I will just look them in the eyes and say, “You are a beautiful, wonderful child of God.”

I say things like this to my kids (and even to myself) because we all hear other voices that whisper in our ears. That say, “You – just you- aren’t enough.” Those voices may make us feel worthless. Insignificant. That we need to do something great to earn the approval of God and others. That if we were really just smarter, more successful, more this or more that – our lives would matter more.

Made in God’s Image

But those voices lie. And I agree with L’Engle’s cherubim, Proginoskes. We need more Namers. People who know their purpose and significance and will help others discover theirs as well.

I want to be a Namer. I want to encourage you, not with fluffy statements to temporarily boost your self-esteem, but with words of truth that will last forever.

I want to tell you today that you are of great value to God.

You have been created in God’s image (Genesis 1:27)

You are greatly loved by God (Romans 1:7, Ephesians 2:4, Colossians 3:12)

You are so loved that He sent His only Son on your behalf (John 3:16-17).

You are His workmanship, created in Him for good works which He has prepared beforehand for you to walk in (Ephesians 2:10).

God is the ultimate “Namer.” He calls us by name and speaks the truth to us of our created purpose: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine.” (Isaiah 43:1).

I’m praying for no more rips in the sky today. I’m praying that I will live as one who has been truly Named and that so will you. That we will take our place as light-shiners, as image-bearers of the Most High God and that slowly we will watch the darkness be vanquished forever.