WHAT'S IN A NAME

Were you given a ‘nickname’ in school?  I was not called anything other than my name but sometimes wish I had one.   Some nicknames represent character traits or some aspects of the individual’s character.  Unfortunately, some of these names were used by bullies to taunt and ridicule individuals.

Some have worked very hard to live up to or shun the names they were given. For example, consider a name like Jabez, so named because his mother bore him in pain. Jabez, however, did not live up to his name and caused more pain; instead, he prayed for a blessing and the Lord grant him what he requested.  We can think of Jabez has someone who did not live up to the status quo. He broke the mould of what was expected of someone with a name that is a constant reminder of pain.

How about you? What is your name? Who do want to be seen as, have you defined yourself based on who God say you are or have you accepted an identity imposed by others.  Some people live their whole lives trying to consciously or unconsciously build an identity around the mould that others have made for them.  Never taking the time to ask, ‘who am I?’ God has placed inestimable value on you, He sent Jesus to die for you, that’s how much He values you.  You are free from the chains of an identity imposed.

Jesus in conversation with His disciples asked in Mark 8:27 ‘Who do men say I am?’  After they had shared what people were saying about Him, He asked ‘Who do you say I am?’  Interested to know what those closest to him thought of him.  I guess that is one of those timeless questions.  People everywhere are interested in what others think about them.  However, as important as this is, I believe the more pressing question is ‘who do you think you are?’  What do you believe about you? In the middle of the night when the television is off, the noise has stopped and you are faced with you, what do you think about you?

Can you look in the mirror and hold your gaze happy with the reflection? What goes through your mind as you look into your eyes? ‘Who do men say I am?’  Is that the question that haunts you? Psalms 139: 13-14 has some answers to this question.   ‘For you formed my inward parts;   you knitted me together in my mother's womb.  (14) I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.’     This is the true reflection of who you are.  I hope one day we can get to the place where men’s opinions of us do not matter so much, where their prophecies of us do not fulfil because we would have refused to walk the path they think we should trod because of the circumstances of our birth, our citizenship, race or our class.

 

WINTER

What is your favourite time of the year? Which season do you prefer?  Do you like spring with its freshness, energy and vigour?  The air is crisp and everything looks new.  Or do you prefer summer, where the weather has become warmer and there is no more need for coats, cardigans or scarves?  Perhaps you like autumn when the world seems to be bursting with colour and splashes of vibrant reds, yellows and purples are everywhere.  Winter perhaps is your special season; with its promise of cosy nights by the fire and opportunities for sledging down snow covered mountains.  I can honestly say I love all the seasons; however, if I had to choose, I would be forced to choose winter.  In winter the trees stand naked and bare, stark and beautiful.

Driving along the motorway during winter can be dangerous for someone like me, who enjoys gazing at the beauty of the trees.  Sometimes I would try to engage anyone with me in spotting that beautiful tree. They of course would be disappointed as they cannot relate to my definition of beauty. Those trees in other people's eyes are just sticks, but to me it represents life, new beginning, potential and possibilities, a blank canvass from which many, many possibilities can emerge.  God has raw material. 'The earth was without form and void and darkness was upon the face of the deep.'  

Nothing testifies more of our Creator's power than His ability to bring life from nothing. This gives hope, renewed energy and shines light in many people's dark places. such as; depression, fear, anxiety, limited finances, relationship breakdown...

What season are you in? Is winter a scary place for you?  Is it a place of bareness and fear?  Hold on, your time of refreshing will come.  As spring follows winter, your season will not last forever. Spring is around the corner with all its lushness and promise of new life.