On Engraved Name Tags

Our two kitties at the house both have collars with name tags. They don't really like them at all, though. Especially when they first got them, they scratched at them as much as they could trying to get them to come off to no avail.

They need them, though, for several reasons. First of all, the name tags provide identity for our cats. They have the kitties' names on them. Everyone can look at the name tag and see who exactly that feline terror is that they're staring in the face.

Secondly, the name tags provide information regarding the cats' owners. They have our home address and contact information. That way, whenever people see the name tag, they know that that cat is claimed. It has an owner. It has been adopted into a family. They know to whom the cat belongs.

We as people also have name tags of sorts, in more ways than one. First of all, we're created in God's image, and his name is written all over us. Whether people realize it or not, in the words of Steven Curtis Chapman, we can see "the fingerprints of God" whenever we see the people around us.

Secondly, God's name is written upon our hearts. When we accept him as our Lord and Savior we are claimed. We are his, and he pours his spirit inside of us. We are given a spiritual brand of sorts. We have been adopted into his family.

At the same time, God writes our names upon himself. I love the passage in Isaiah where God tells us that our names are "engraved in the palm of his hand." God carves our names there so that everyone can see who we belong too. It's such a beautiful image.

Sometimes, like my cats, though, we don't like this name tag. It can be annoying or even embarrassing to us at times. However, it is there for our good, and we would do well to appreciate the love that God shows us by claiming us as his own.

After all, he wrote our names on his hands. We should be proud to display his name in our hearts and lives.