Growing up in the church, participating in “church activities” was not unusual. If the doors were open, we were present. And the best part was that I loved my church and participating. When I found out we were moving and I had to reacclimate to a new church and new friends, you can imagine my devastation.

When we rolled up to middle Tennessee, my family visited one church and plugged in straight away. We had mutual friends who had moved a few years prior and were attending this particular church so we started going with them. Within the first couple of months, the children’s ministry put on an annual event called 24 Hours 4 Him, which was essentially a highly programmed church lock-in for 1st-5th graders (If I remember correctly. It’s been awhile). Being all about the church activity life, I was excited to try it out. That year, the theme was “Names of God” and the shirts were light blue and brown with a big white star in the middle. Why is that detail important? It’s not really, but I think it’s fun that I still remember all these years later. That shirt directly ties to my eyes being opened to a new side of God that I hadn’t known before. 

To set the scene for you, each grade was broken up into about 2-3 smaller groups (imagine VBS style). Each smaller group had a team name that went with the theme for that year- the different names of God. For example, 2nd grade A’s team name was El Shaddai, 3rd grade B was Jehovah Nissi, and 5th grade C was Jehovah Maginnenu. I like to stop and think back to that time, imagining a bunch of elementary schoolers creating chants and getting hyped about their team names. “Yeah that’s right! Jehovah Maginnenu is the BEST! He’s our Defender who never RESTS!” I don’t remember if that was an actual chant, but you get the idea. 

For that 24 hours, the names of God were pressed into my little heart and mind in more involved and exciting ways than ever before. We learned about 12-15 names of God but especially got excited about the ones we represented. My team represented Jehovah Maginnenu: The Lord my Defense. Had I heard of that before? No. But it has been one of my absolute favorite names/attributes of God ever since.

There is something about our names that matter. If you’ve ever looked up what your name means, it can often feel like a call on our lives to live up to or maybe naturally embody. I love that God has so many names that represent the many attributes of Him. He is our Shield, our Fortress, our King, our Defender. He sees us, protects us, loves us, heals us, and hears us. He is just as much El Shaddai (God Almighty) as he is Jehovah Jireh (Provider). 

Looking back, I appreciate that the new church in Tennessee found it so important to teach truths in such fun and tangible ways. Because of their faithfulness and commitment, they at least impacted this kid’s heart to discover more of who God was and is, which became a domino effect for the next many years of her life. When we spend time getting to know the names and attributes of God, we get to know Him better and more fully. Doing this has a profound impact on how we understand Him and understand ourselves. And then a direct impact on how we love God and love others.

Sometime this week, I encourage you to look up the Names of God and study the attributes that come with them. Praise Him over one or two of them and see how it may impact your day-to-day and understanding of who He is.