Recently, I’ve noticed a peculiar trend with some potential clients from Nigeria who contact me regarding investment and immigration opportunities in Canada. They often use Biblical or Islamic statements as their caller ID names, which initially left me quite puzzled.
This morning, a friend mentioned that his acquaintance would be calling me. When I asked for the caller’s name, he provided it. As the phone rang, the display showed a message: “For God so loved the world, that…”. My first instinct was to be cautious, but remembering similar experiences, I decided to answer. Upon picking up, I greeted him with, “Good afternoon, Mr. For God so loved…”, only for him to clarify, “That’s not my name sir; I’m just sending a message to the world through my caller ID.”
Over time, I’ve encountered various caller ID names that carry messages of faith and morality. One displayed “There is no other God but Allah,” while another brought me back to Sunday School with “Repent, for the world is ending soon.” Some messages served as reminders of ethical behavior, such as “Love thy neighbor as thyself,” or “As much as you can, live in peace with all.” One particularly amusing call came from someone seeking legal assistance to sue an employee who had stolen money and fled the country. The caller ID read, “Forgive, so that you may be forgiven.”
At times, receiving these calls feels as though God himself is making contact, delivering messages directly through the caller ID. Though it can be frustrating to repeatedly ask for names due to these unconventional displays, I find these messages both instructive and entertaining. Their timing can be strikingly relevant. For example, one day when my wife asked me to pick up groceries on my way home, I was too tired to make the effort. Just then, a call came in with the message, “For he knows what is on your mind.” This prompted me to reconsider and ultimately head to the grocery store.
These messages often serve as constant reminders of ethical and spiritual principles, offering gentle nudges toward self-improvement and reflection. They can provide eerily timely insights that align with our daily lives, almost as if guided by divine timing. The humor embedded in these messages underscores the diverse ways people connect spirituality and daily life, showing that even serious reminders can be delivered with a touch of levity.
However, while these messages can be thought-provoking and amusing, it’s important for practical reasons that caller IDs display proper names for identity and security purposes. Clear identification helps avoid confusion and ensures a level of professionalism and safety in communication.
It is hoped that those who choose to use such meaningful messages as their caller ID names will strive to live by the principles they display. If they do, it will contribute to a just society where love reigns and we genuinely care for one another. Conversely, if their actions do not reflect the messages they promote, it could seem as if they are advocating a “do as I say, not as I do” philosophy. In the end, aligning actions with words is crucial for fostering a truly compassionate and ethical world.
NB: Johnson Babalola, a Canada based lawyer, leadership consultant and corporate emcee, is a public affairs analyst.
