Photo Credits~

(owl:donaldthompson95 on flickr, luna:BillLepidoptera/harkphoto.com on flickr, willow/fence:trensamiro on flickr, all remaining: Merana Leigh)

Psalm 25:4-5

Show me your ways, O LORD, teach me your paths;

guide me in your truth and teach me,


for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long (NIV)





Drench yourself in words unspoken, Live your life with arms wide open,

Today is where your book begins, The rest is still unwritten. ("Unwritten" by Natasha Beddingfield)





It matters not how long we live, but how!



Saturday, August 21, 2010

What's In a Name?

Ever notice how a name can make you or break you? The Bible is full of names...and not some. And this caused me to ponder, 'what's in a name that some are named, and some are not?'

Oholiab & Bezalel are named. But do you know who they are? They are obscure names that probably no one even recognizes. Yet, nothing in Scripture is obscure is it? God ensured that they were given the credit they were due. They were instrumental because of the skills He bestowed upon them, in making THE tabernacle & the Ark of the Covenant. And they were credited by name. (you can read about this in Exodus 35:30 thru Exodus 37)

There are so many of these names tucked away in Scripture. Then, of course, there are names we all recognize ... the disciples, Moses, Saul, Abraham, David, Ruth, Mary, Joseph, Mary Magdalene, Elijah, Elisha, Adam, Eve ... you get the idea. And let's not forget the descendent's list so-and-so, son of so-and-so, that seem to drone on forever. Go ahead & admit it ... we all rather glassy-eyed gloss over those lists.

But what of those nameless souls in Scripture? The woman at the well. The widow and her offering. The woman who touched Jesus' robe. The man who was healed of his blindness. They are no less important. But why aren't they named?

Well, I submit that all of the named and unnamed are significant in Scripture to demonstrate a subtle, yet important, point. As followers of Christ, we can certainly seem obscure, yet still do great things in His service. In a crowded picture, we won't necessarily have a face that stands out. Yet that doesn't mean that there's not a light eminating from us in that crowd. A country artist, Brad Paisley, has a song entitled, "The World", where he speaks of his lady love feeling as though she's nothing special ('To the teller down at the bank, you're just another checking account', or .. 'you didn't get an invitation cause somebody left you out', etc.). Yet he then goes on to say, "it's ok if you aren't everything to everybody else, because you're everything to ME". Seriously, that's the way it is for us, in Christ. In the natural, we are just another person in the great human landscape that makes up this third rock from the sun. Yet, to Jesus, we are the world ... we're everything! We have a responsibility to let His light shine out through us.

My point is ... in the world's book, I'm definitely an obscure name. I have not goals of grandeur and fame. To my boys I'm "Mom, Omar, or Mo-Mo" (don't ask). My goal is to be called, "His". I know that my name is high enough to be His "go-to" gal when there's a situation in which He needs me to help. And that, combined with those endearing names my kids have given me, are just A-ok for me. Even if my name is never known, to be used by Him with opportunities to serve others, even if only to hold open a door with a smile for someone laden down with arms full, is rewarding and satisfying enough.

The legacy I want to leave behind is simply to touch other's lives for Him along this journey Home. HE knows my name. And really...that's all that matters in the end now, isn't it?

11 comments:

  1. Oh, Merena, I love this post. And to the One Whose Name is above all other names, I owe everything. Yes, I do want to stand out for Him, to radiate His light and His glory. After all, He is All Light and All Glory!

    Beautiful, beautiful, post. Thank you for touching my heart today.

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  2. It is comforting knowing ourselves in the light of Jesus.
    Knowing that whoever we are rich or poor tall or short fat or skinny God will always love us
    Joy & Blessings,
    Virginia

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  3. Very interesting post. One place I want to be sure my name is listed, and that is in the Lamb's book of life.
    Blessings,
    Charlotte

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  4. Enjoyed your post. That will be a beautiful legacy to leave behind "touching other's lives for Him". And perhaps your boys will raise up and called you "blessed."

    Blessings,
    Linda J

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  5. What an excellent post! You're so right that we have a responsibility to let His light shine in us! Loved this!

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  6. What is my name to Jesus? Am I ready to go when he calls? Your post is beautiful and thought provoking. It so good to be reminded that we are endeared to God. Have a wonderful weekend, Patty

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  7. I love your name Merana - at least the way it sounds when I (try to) prounounce it :)
    But more importantly, so does God!!! To be so deserving is rather humbling, isn't it!

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  8. Very good post...giving us "food for thought". A topic I had not thought much about...thanks for giving me a teachable moment here!

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  9. A great, thought-provoking post. So true.

    Thanks for stopping by my blog. Enjoyed your comments.

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  10. Thank you for this post, it was so timely for the way I have been feeling about myself lately. "it's ok if you aren't everything to everybody else, because you're everything to ME". Wonderful words and so reassuring.
    God Bless you,Merana

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  11. So beautiful, Merana! Thanks for sharing your precious and deep thoughts on names and lack thereof. Oh, and I LOVE your pics at the top!!!

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