COLLINS COLUMN: More than a name – LaGrange Daily News

I I have nine grandchildren, so over the past few years I’ve heard a lot of discussion about choosing a baby’s name. My daughters and their husbands would sometimes ask me for name ideas, so I came up with a few last names from generations past – but they basically smiled and told me they had a few in mind. No one ever chose my grandfather’s name, Monleys (pronounced Munless) Commadore. Yes, that was his name, and oh, how I wish I knew his origin! My kids decided they could come up with some good names themselves!

The wise king of proverbs said this about names: “A good name is better than great riches, and favor is better than silver or gold. » Solomon did not give advice on how parents should choose the names of their children. He was actually saying something even more important. Solomon focused on substance rather than fame and character building rather than wealth. You may not have chosen your birth name, but you choose your priorities and your reputation.

It is not a new phenomenon that many young people want to become famous. It’s not a particularly new thing to want to be famous for something. Sixty years ago, my neighborhood friends all dreamed of being the next great MLB pitcher, the home run king, or the Gold Glove recipient. In many sandlot baseball games, we imagined ourselves in situations that would one day make us famous and, naturally, rich. This didn’t happen to me or anyone in my neighborhood.

But because of technology, the internet and social media, we see a global obsession with being famous for something and the wealth that seems to follow those who succeed in making a name for themselves. But making a name for yourself doesn’t mean you have a good reputation. Just think of some of the names we know because they killed innocent people or abused their position, causing harm to those around them. Being famous is not the same as having a good reputation.

Unfortunately, we could probably all come up with lists of famous and rich people we would never want our children to have as role models. If we want to have a good reputation, then we will have to make choices that are often the opposite of what the world admires.

Just a few verses after Solomon said that a good name should be desired over wealth, he gave us an idea of ​​what it would take to develop a good name: “Give ear, hear the words of the wise , and apply your heart. to my knowledge, because it will be pleasant for you to keep them in you, if all are ready on your lips. So that you may trust in the Lord, I have made them known to you today also. »(17-19)

If we want our children to have a good name, it starts by showing us what it looks like to have a good name. First, we must choose to be with and listen to those who have wisdom. “Incline your ear and hear” must be intentional. But it doesn’t stop there. Solomon added “and apply your heart to the knowledge of me, for it will be pleasing to you to keep them in you, if all are ready on your lips.”

The Scriptures are filled with thousands of verses that provide wisdom from God. Reading these verses is helpful. Listening to sermons and reading devotions that explain these verses can also be helpful. But note that wisdom only comes to us when we are willing to apply these principles in our daily lives. Talking about kindness and being kind are two different things. Wisdom comes through application. According to Solomon, we must have God’s truth on our lips, so that in our daily activities we find ways to apply God’s wisdom in every situation.

Ultimately, Solomon explained that the more you apply God’s principles, the more you will trust in the Lord. And the more we trust in the Lord, the more we will bring Him glory through our obedience. And before you know it, we’ll be showing our children and grandchildren that choosing to live a life of character is far more important than the size of our house or the number of nice things we can buy.

Father, forgive us when we have been lazy and simply read your wisdom but failed to apply it. Today we choose you. Today we seek to apply your truth in our lives, so that you may obtain glory and your name may be known through us. In the name of Jesus, amen.