Sitting at a Chinese restaurant that I frequent, I was noticing how I was treated along with all the other customers. The owners made a point to see me at least once during my visit to see how I was doing. Not about the food…me. Then, sitting with a friend the next day, the topic drifted to how we were treated at various businesses. We began to share how we feel much better patronizing a business when we feel welcome. I can’t help but think that businesses would do much better if they would show genuine concern for their patrons.

These thoughts caused a song to run through my mind. Remember the old TV show “Cheers”? That theme song kept running around my head…..sometimes you want to go where everybody knows your name…and their always glad you came.

I try to be very aware when God speaks something to me. I may miss it sometimes but usually when He does things like this, my ears perk up. What was God speaking to me? What significance can a theme song play in the vast array of the universe and the Creator’s plan for me in it?

Moses was upset with God once…well, more than once, but one time in particular he was arguing with God because he was told to get up and go to a land flowing with milk and honey, but God would not go. As Moses went to the Tent of Meeting, where he would speak with the Lord just as a man speaks to his friend, the pillar of cloud came and God spoke. He told Moses “I have known you by name, and you have also found favor in my sight.” Think about it friend. God met with Moses as a friend meets with a friend. It makes sense to me that He would know His friend’s name.

In the book of Revelation, the Spirit said to the overcomers in the church at Pergamum that Jesus will give those who overcome a white stone and a new name written on that stone. It used to be true that people named their children according to what they wanted to see happen in their future lives. Names were very important. I believe God calls us a new name because He sees who we really are. Countless times throughout the Bible, we read where God changed a name to better suit their calling. From Jacob to Abram to Saul, each path was changed when their name changed.

Honestly, when I started writing this post, my path was to share how people need to feel connected to something. Studies show that when a visitors comes to a church, they must make a connection with someone or they won’t stay. It’s true that as human beings we all need to be connected. It is essential within the human psyche to have another human connection. My heart is leading me even farther than that though.

Dear reader, even more than a human connection, you need to connect with the divine. You need to have an encounter with Jesus Christ. If you don’t make the connection with Him, you won’t make it. Your eternal life is totally dependant on you being on a first-name basis with the lover of your soul. Establish that vital friendship today. Simply call on Him and surrender your life to Jesus. Make Him your Savior and your Lord. Make Him your best friend. He will even give you a new name!