It was a simple question, really.

It was a simple question asked on a not so simple Sunday. It was May 13. We had a guest preacher. I was acting head-of-staff. We were in the process of hiring an interim pastor. It was also Mother’s Day. And my parents were visiting for the weekend. It was a big day! And there were many details I was attending to. One of which was to remember to lead the conversation with the children for the visiting preacher. I was talking with the children about the symbols in our sanctuary to remind us of God’s love for us all. I mentioned the red rose on the Table, for the birth of a baby. I was ready to go on, when one child, Carter Fox raised his hand and asked, "What’s the baby’s name?" It was a simple question, really. I just didn’t know the answer.

I could tell from Carter’s expression that he really did want to know. And so, I got my bulletin and answered his question. The baby’s name is Avery Joseph Haugh.

Sometimes when we don’t have the answers is when we learn important lessons. I re-learned a lesson that day that has stayed with me ever since. Names are important. Each individual name is important. It’s what makes us who we are. It’s what makes us unique. It’s what makes us precious in God’s eyes.

The prophet named Isaiah wrote in the first Scripture lesson for the day: But now thus says the Lord, do not fear for I have redeemed you. I have called you by name, you are mine. Because you are precious in my sight and honored and I love you. Isaiah’s lesson is simple: God not only loves all of us, God loves each of us.

Last month the front page story of the Courier was that a newborn baby was left in Riverside Park, seemingly by his mother who was unable to care for him. The next day, the paper reported that the baby was doing well and had been placed in the care of a foster family. But, what I found most interesting about the article was its headline "Baby Doe given name." The baby was given the name Parker Matthew Findlay. Names are important.

Paul an apostle. . .that’s how the New Testament lesson for today begins. . It begins with a name, Paul, an apostle—a witness to and proclaimer of the good news of Jesus Christ. In his letter, he mentions other names: Cephas, or Peter, the name which means "rock," and James, the Lord’s brother. He mentions his partners in the faith by name. Names are important.

The lesson is part of a letter written to the church of Galatia, they are called the Galatians. In his letter, Paul introduces himself, admitting his former identity as one who violently persecuted the church of God is now proclaiming the faith he once tried to destroy. Why? Why the dramatic change? Paul writes: But when God, who had set me apart before I was born and called me through his grace, was pleased to reveal his Son to me, so that I might proclaim him among the Gentiles.

There are at least three simple, but important lessons Paul teaches us: 1) God does the calling. God calls us each by name. 2) We are called through grace— no matter who we are or what we’ve done—we are offered forgiveness and mercy and a second chance again and again to be who God calls us to be. 3) God has a purpose for our life—to embody the faith and hope, love and peace we know in the one named Jesus. Different paths we follow. Same purpose we seek.

I think the key to this passage comes at the end. Paul admits that even after all of his missionary travels, his name was still unknown among the churches, known only as "the one who formerly was persecuting us is now proclaiming the faith." But, he goes on to write: And they glorified God because of me. In other words, people didn’t know Paul’s name, but they knew Jesus’ name. The lesson here for us? Our names are important, yes! But, it is by our names that God calls us to do great things in Christ’s name. So, that if we live well our purpose in being who God calls us to be, embodying the heart of Jesus, people might not remember us, but instead remember the one whom our life reflects and proclaims. People might not know our name, but if they know the name and love of Jesus because of us, then God is glorified indeed.

Her name is Nola Ochs. She is a 95 year old woman who recently graduated from Fort Hays State University, becoming the world’s oldest person to be awarded a college degree. Nola Ochs is rightly proud of her accomplishment, but is most proud of being the matriarch of a family that includes three sons—along with 13 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren—and instilling in them her lifelong love of learning. She taught many lessons in her lifetime, perhaps the most important: you are never too old to learn new things.

Nor are you too young. . .

Her name is Kendall Shea Hauck. She is being baptized today in the name of the Father, and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Today she is called by name and given a new identity. In God’s grace, she is marked as one of Christ’s own. She is the newest member of the body of Christ. As she grows, she will learn her name, her unique name. And, we hope and pray, she will also grow to learn about one named Jesus and his love for her, and his call for her life.

Today we are celebrating with our high school graduates. Their names are:

Jefferey Tichenor, Matt Wiseman.

Graduates, you will be getting lots of advice in these days and months and years to come. So, I will simply say this to you: God loves you. If you remember nothing else I say today, nothing else of your upbringing in the church, remember this: God loves you. God knows you each by name and calls you each by name. And God has a plan and purpose for your life that is different for each of you, but is most easily discovered by following the way, the truth and the life we know in the one called Jesus. This is the lesson Paul teaches us. A simple lesson, perhaps, but an important one, indeed.

His name was Zyusha. A disciple named Zyusha asked his teacher one day, "How can someone as lowly as I possibly live like Moses? Or How can I live like Paul?

When you die," the teacher answered, "you will not be asked, ‘why were you not Moses?’ Why were you not Paul?

But you will be asked, ‘why were you not Zyusha?’" Why were you not you?

It’s a simple question, really. Or is it?

Let this be a lesson for us all. Let us live as the extraordinary people God created us to be, Christ redeemed us to be, and the Holy Spirit empowers us to be, day by day. This is a lesson worth remembering.

God has called you by name.

God has called us—all of us, each one of us—by name, in the strong and sure name of Jesus Christ.

May God be glorified because of us.

Glory be to God. Amen.