What's In A Name?

I am a plant snob.  At least that's what a friend of mine jokingly calls me.  She calls me that because I often use the botanical names of plants, rather than the common names.

Botanical names are Latin names of plants that are the same worldwide.  People in Italy, Brazil, the United States... all across the world refer to the same plant with the same name when using botanical names.  Often times botanical names give some insight to special properties of certain plants.  The plant pictured in the photo above is Hydrangea paniculata 'Tardiva'.  It is a member of the family of shrubs known as Hydrangeas, and its blooms are shaped in "panicle" forms, as described by it's "paniculata" name.  Plus, it blooms much later than the other spring-blooming Hydrangeas, coming into full bloom in the scorching heat of August.  Thus, the name 'Tardiva', as in tardy, or late.

The botanical name of the Dwarf Yaupon Holly in the background of the photo to the left attaches an interesting and historical story to the plant.  The name Ilex vomitoria nana means just what it sounds like it means.

Native Americans had rite of passage rituals for their adolescent males.  A tea, which they called "Black Drink" was made from the plant.  The tea, which often caused vomiting and diarrhea, was then given to the youngster to drink.  If he succeeded in drinking the tea and keeping it down, he was considered to be a man.

There are roses that are classified as "grandiflora" because of their exceptionally large blooms.  Other roses are classified as "floribunda" due to the fact that though their blooms aren't of great size, they are produced in abundance.

The gardenia, known by it's botanical name as Gardenia jasminoides, is named for its sweet, jasmine-like fragrance.

The Cockscomb has both a descriptive common name and a descriptive botanical name.  The common name compares the appearance of the blooms with that of the "comb" atop the heads of roosters.  The botanical name, Celosia plumosa, also describes the blooms with their plume shapes.

Many plants have been given "common" names that are in some way descriptive of them, or even tell a story about them.  For instance, the plant known by its botanical name Dianthus, has a common name of "Pinks".  It was given its name because of its jagged edges, which appeared to be trimmed with "pinking" shears.  The color of the original plant was pink, and the color pink got its name from the "Pinks" or the Dianthus.

The Scabiosa was given the common name Pincushion Flower because of its resemblance to the old-fashioned pincushions that were used by seamstresses.

Because of its fruits' striking resemblance to clusters of grapes, and the way its leaves resemble those of Hollies, Mahonia aquafolia received the common name of Oregon Grape Holly.

It's pretty obvious why the Cuphea llavea is called Batface Cuphea.  And it's cousin, Cuphea ignea, looks like an "ignited" or lit cigar, which we call the Cigar plant.

The honey-sweet fragrance of its blooms is why this Hosta got the name "Honeybells".

Then there are those plants to which I am irresistibly drawn because they share my name, like this Hosta Janet, and this "Janet" English Rose. 

Back in the day when Barnabas walked this earth, the early followers of Christ began to be called "Christians," which literally translated means "little Christs."  Those of us who are Christians today would do well to remember that we are to be "little Christs."  As the botanical names of plants give insight to their attributes to people all across the globe, our name of "Christian" should be just as descriptive of our characteristics.

I recall when my Sunday School teacher, Todd, once shared a story of a time when our church sponsored a men's softball team.  The team began to become overly competitive; their focus was more on winning the game than it was winning others to Christ.  Team members began to argue with umpires, showing them no respect.  They then began to argue among themselves, bickering and complaining.  Whether it was Todd, or someone else on the team, I can't recall.  I only remember him sharing with the class that someone finally stepped up and reminded the team that they were taking the field with the name of our church emblazoned across the front of each of their jerseys.  They were representing our church in a way that was shamefully inappropriate.  They prayed.  God adjusted their attitudes and their outlooks, and they began to play the sport and conduct themselves in a manner that honored Him.

When we take on the name of "Christian," we are in essence putting on a jersey with the name of Jesus Christ emblazoned across the front of it.  Each day we walk into the world, each time we interact with our family and friends, we ought to remember Who we represent.  We would be wise always to be aware of Whose team we are on.

As I reflect on my daily actions and attitudes, I find myself falling far short of living up to the name that has been given to me.  You see, we don't magically take on the characteristics of Christ just because we are called Christians.  We are called Christians because we are children of the Living God, and we are to live our lives as a reflection of Him.  We are the mirrors that God uses to show those who don't know Him exactly what He looks like.

How do we know what God is like?  How do we know what characteristics He has?  He was gracious enough to send Jesus into this world to live a life that is a reflection of Him.  Jesus was God in the flesh.  Those who walked with Jesus got an honest-to-goodness glimpse of God.  When we look at what the Bible tells us of Jesus, we can see the characteristics we are expected to exhibit when we are called Christians.  The people who spend time with us and share our company should get an honest-to-goodness glimpse of God.

Merciful

Compassionate

Full of Grace

Forgiving

Putting Others First

Honest

True

Faithful

Just

Loving

Giving

Steadfast

Patient

Kind

Humble

Considerate

Unselfish

Joyful

Trustworthy

Hope-filled

These are just a few words or phrases that begin to make an attempt to describe the characteristics of God that Jesus exemplified when He walked among men; the characteristics that we are to exhibit as Christians. Sound difficult?  Maybe impossible?  Not really.  Not if we approach it in the way God planned for us.  It's not anything we could ever accomplish in our own strength.  It's only possible because each of us who is a Christian has that ability living inside of us... through the power of the Holy Spirit.  The only thing we have to do is to get "ourselves" out of the way and let God use us as His vessel.

Father, each day may I live out the qualities of the name You have so graciously given me... Christian.

"Barnabas was a good man.  He was full of the Holy Spirit and of faith.  Large numbers of people came to know the Lord.  Then Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul.  He found him there.  They taught large numbers of people.  At Antioch believers were called Christians for the first time." 

Acts 1124-26 NIRV