What’s your name?

“I have called you by name—you are mine.” says the God of Israel in today’s reading Isaiah 43:1-21.
The same who said: “Do not use my name for evil purposes” (Exodus 20:7).
And the same who revealed God’s name to Moses: “I am who I am” (Exodus 3:14).
Allowing someone to use your name really gives them control over your identity. It weakens your position, you open your very self. If someone calls you names that may be easy to shrug off but if they use your actual name with it, it hurts even more.
Positively speaking: God introducing God’s self to Moses and all of us establishes a relationship of intimate trust: You are mine, I am yours, we belong together, no matter what.
Of all the people you see any given day at work, in the gym or shopping, how many do you know by name?