What's in a Name?

            We have all read Romeo and Juliet. In Shakespeare’s play, Juliet laments that her newly found love, Romeo, is a Montague, her family’s rival. In that famous scene, Juliet says, “A rose by any other name would smell as sweet.” But, is that true? Doesn’t our name mean something?

            Last night, much of America watched as cyclist Lance Armstrong admitted in an interview to Oprah Winfrey that he had knowingly taken performance enhancing drugs. This follows months of discussion in which Armstrong has been stripped of cycling titles and awards after evidence suggested that he did indeed take these drugs during his racing career. Armstrong has vehemently denied the charges, until last night.

            Although I did not watch the interview, I followed the comments and Armstrong quotes on Twitter. I am not a cyclist. But, I do feel invested in the story since Armstrong and I share a first name. We share little other than that name. We’re both Americans, and we’ve both been married to Sheryl Crow (well, maybe we only share a name and a national identity). But, in sharing a name, I am struck by the shame I feel carrying that name today. It used to be when someone would ask me my name, or how to spell my name, I would say, “My name is Lance, spelled like Lance Armstrong.” I doubt I will ask people to make the connection in future.

            As a Christian, I also have responsibility for the name I hold. As I identify myself as a Christian, I am identifying myself with Jesus the Christ. I am telling the world that I am a follower of Jesus, and the things I say and do must reflect that allegiance. When I act or speak in a way contrary to how a Christian should act or speak, I have maligned the name of my Lord.

            In the third commandment that God gave to the Hebrew people, God says, “You shall not take the name of your Lord in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes his name in vain” (Exodus 20:7). Many people misunderstand or misinterpret this commandment to mean simply that we should not use the name of God as a curse word. But, God is calling us to have deepest respect and honor for who He is. And one of the greatest ways I can honor my God is by bringing honor to His name as I live my life with integrity daily. That means that I must do what is right, even when it hurts.

            Am I perfect in leading a life of integrity? Of course not. I slip and I do not always bring glory to God. But, living a life of truthfulness is one of the best ways to live a life of intentional integrity. I would guess the agony of years of deception weighed heavily on Armstrong’s mind and heart.

Last year, I experienced a similar weight. After attending the funeral of my wife’s grandfather, we were headed back to the airport to fly home. We were running short on time, but my wife wanted to quickly visit her great aunt. As we visited her and quickly went to the airport, I was unaware of the speed limit. Yes, a camera caught me speeding, and a couple of weeks later, we received a traffic ticket in the mail. No big deal. At the time, however, our finances were tight and there wasn’t a lot in our bank account. So I worried about paying the ticket. Unwisely, I told my wife I had paid the ticket when I had not. A little while later, we received another letter from the court, with my fine raised because of inaction. Unfortunately, I continued to deceive my wife. I don’t know why. It troubled me. Eventually, I paid the ticket at the higher fine. I had to come clean with my wife, telling her of my stupid action, and unable to really explain why I had acted in such a way. What hurt her most was a broken trust. And I could do nothing to assuage that hurt. The situation taught me a couple of great lessons. First, our choices are often misguided, and there is no clear reason why we act as we do. Second, it made me painfully aware that my integrity is easily damaged and, when it is, it takes a lot of time to repair that damage. And, finally, it taught me that I cannot take time off from being a person of integrity. There is too much at stake. Often, what is at stake is the sacred name of God.

            As difficult as it was to come clean with my wife, it was also freeing. I carried the burden of that lie for too long. I can imagine that Armstrong also feels the burden of deceit somewhat lifted from his shoulders this morning. I don’t want to stand above Lance Armstrong in judgment. He has made mistakes as I have made mistakes. His story, however, does offer me another example of how important it is to live with integrity and to honor Jesus as I carry His name with me daily.