Enigma: The Name

e-nig’-ma (noun): Something that baffles understanding and cannot be explained.

Probably the most common question I get from people has to do with why I chose to use Enigma for the name of a graphic design company. Unfortunately, there isn’t a quick, simple answer, but for those of you who may be wondering why, here is my explanation.

“Enigma” is an indirect reference to Daniel 5:11-13. In this account, the Babylonian king Belshazzar was confronted with a message that he did not understand. He called on his wise men, who drew upon every ounce of natural intellect, skill, and talent they possessed, and even they could not interpret the message. Then the queen told Belshazzar about Daniel, in whom there was “an excellent spirit, knowledge, understanding,” and the ability to interpret dreams, solve riddles, and explain enigmas. Daniel was called upon, and he interpreted the message for king Belshazzar.

The truth I have drawn from this story is that we all have natural limits on our intellect, skills, and so on. These limits confine us to a finite realm of possibility, which is restricted to only that which we can do for and by ourselves. The difference between Daniel and the king’s wise men was that Daniel wasn’t limited to his own natural ability. He possessed an edge that the wise men didn’t have: a relationship with the creator of the universe, Jehovah God. A relationship with God gives us the ability to transcend our natural limitations and tap into supernatural resources in every area of life.

There have been many times when I’ve done work for clients and I feel as though the finished product is the result of more than just my own ability. I feel as though I’ve tapped into that same sort of supernatural help that Daniel had that day when he interpreted the message for king Belshazzar. To be certain, there is no scientific formula to make it happen. Truly, exactly how it all happens is a mystery…an enigma…a wonderful, inexplicable enigma.