Christian Living

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Are You A “No Name”?
© 2006
by

Stephen A. Peterson


Ira French, who would help his grandson work through his summer vacation Saturday farm chores, decided between the both of them to take a lunch break at 11:00 AM over an overcast June day. As they were sipping homemade lemonade and eating hot dogs and freshly made German potato salad, 16 year old Marco heaved a frustrating sigh.

“Oooooo, doesn’t sound good,” Grandpa French offered. “What’s wrong grandson?”

“Oh, I don’t know, grandpa. Grandpa, when I was a Freshman at school, all of the coaches told me I’d be an outstanding wide receiver, quarterback or tailback. When football practice starts up in August, they’re telling me I’ll play at a defensive linebacker position. I didn’t play football to be a defensive linebacker. I really want to be a wide receiver or quarterback. Nobody sees nor cares about linebackers! They’re no name positions. How many college coaches look at high school linebackers to recruit for their programs? They look at the athleticism of quarterbacks to recruit for their programs? Not dumb old linebackers! I wanna make a name for myself, grandpa!”

Grandpa French snorted, “What’s so biggety about a name? I’m no football coach nor did I ever play. But I’m bettin’ coaches look at all the positions with equal interest. Did you ever think that there’s some mighty great folks in the Bible who ain’t got names or whose names are never mentioned? Do you know that?”

“Well, no, grandpa.” Marco confessed. “Who do you mean? Everybody in the Bible is famous and well known, grandpa.”

“Oh, really now! I’ll bet you can’t tell me the name of the Good Samaritan. Or the little fellar who had the five bailey loaves and fishes. What about the healed leper who came back to thank Jesus. Or the centurion whose daughter Jesus healed because of his faith. Or the criminal also crucified by the Lord, who defended Him? There’s lots of no-names in the Bible, and many of ‘em helped Jesus do His work to bring salvation to humankind—everyone. They didn’t make names for themselves, but they each helped glorify the name of Our Lord.”

Marco, did you ever think that you’re being put at a linebacker position to glorify the name of God? That is, to win souls for the Kingdom of God.”

How right Grandpa French is! Look about you! Who are some of the happiest, most successful individuals? Are they not the “no names” of this world according to the world? Whenever people have been more interested in making a name for themselves rather than work for God what consequences typically follow—job/life dissatisfaction, depression, substance abuse, relational abuse, suicide. How does one determine what God wants of us—pray! He will tell you what He wants you to do and place you where He needs you to work His many miracles!!!


May your Godly work, whatever it is, glorify You, O Lord. Whatever fame and/or fortune gained be for your praise and glory

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