1 TIMOTHY 3:16-17

"All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us...God uses it to prepare and equip His people to do every good work."

Sunday, October 2, 2011

REVELATION - What's In A Name?

Names.

Interesting things.

Some people hate theirs – some people love theirs.

I was given the name Sharon when I was born. But when I hit elementary school, I thought Sharon sounded too "formal." So I changed it to Shari. Everyone knew me by Shari, except my family – they still called me Sharon.

Then, when I graduated from college, I kinda swung back the other way. Now I thought Shari sounded too "frivolous" – so I changed it back to Sharon. I've been known by the name Sharon for about 33 years now. But my husband, who knew me in elementary school, still calls me Shari! (Cute, huh?!)

My brother's kids called me Aunt Sharon – and I've always thought it sounded like an old-maid spinster. I'm not sure I like it so much. So when my sister's son was born several years later, I told her to let him come up with his own name. That's how I came to be called "Uncle Sharon" by her kids!

Now, we have our names, and then we have nicknames.

Nicknames are a mixed bag.

Sometimes they're a good thing – sometimes they're a bad thing – sometimes they're both.

For instance, "Honest Abe" is a good nickname if you're Abraham Lincoln, and you're kinda known for your integrity and trustworthiness. "Honest Joe," who lies about everyone and everything – maybe not such a good nickname.

Good nicknames might include calling a guy who's 6' 6" tall, and weighs 270 pounds"Tiny." Or calling a guy with red hair well, yeah, "Red" I was thinking "Rusty."

But nicknames can be cruel, too. They can be used in taunting and damaging ways.

I was called "Lightweight" and "Spoke" when I was growing up because I was so skinny (healthy skinny, by the way – thin just ran in my family). At the time, the name hurt…a lot. Now it might not be so bad.

I was also called "Flower Hitter" because of my singularly unskilled skills in softball.

My worst nickname was "Railroad Mouth" – given when I was a dorky 10th grader with curly hair (a sin in the early 70's) and a mouth full of silver, metal braces. NOT a good memory…

Sticks and stones may break my bones,
But words will never hurt me.

Who came up with that???

Words are the things that do the MOST damage, because they wound deep inside where the bruises and bleeding and scars don't show.

What about the names that life has given you?

Do you have some?


Guilty.

Adulterer.

Abandoned.

Liar.

Abused.

Unworthy.

Rejected.


Oh yes, life deals out its names like branding irons that sear their way into our very character. We become those names – we are victims of the reputations they bring to us.

We end up damaged and wounded – hurt and hopeless.

Must we stay like this?

Of course not!

Today's "Bible Pick 'Ems" is a very interesting passage of Scripture:

"To everyone who is victorious…I will give to each one a white stone, and on the stone will be engraved a new name that no one understands except the one who receives it." (Revelation 2:17)

I'm not sure exactly what this verse means – but it thrills me!

It's unclear what the white stones are, or what the name on each will be. But they are significantfor they will each bear the new name of every person who truly believes in Jesus Christ.

They will be the evidence that a person has been accepted by God and declared worthy to receive eternal life.

Oh, what a wonder!

I picture this moment –

Jesus calls me to approach Him. I come and stand before Him. I kneel. He lifts my chin up so He can look me in the eye. He reaches for my hand, and places a cool, smooth, pure-white stone in it.

I see His scars as He closes my fingers around the stone. He holds my closed hand with both of His and He says,

"This is your new name. It is a name that only you and I will ever know. It is your true character. It is who I created you to be. Open your hands and behold!"

And there, on that stone, will be…well, ME.

Can you picture opening your hand to your new name?

It will be glorious!

But what about now?

You know, Jesus wants to change some of those wrong names in this life, too.

So, will you let the Lord's love reach into your heart today and change the names you've lived with for so long?


Forgiven.

Faithful.

Never Forsaken.

Person of Truth.

Healed.

Righteous.

Deeply Loved.


There are many more good names an endless list to replace the old. Jesus provided them all – just for you. He is the One who can give you a new name and a new heart.

And He's the One who died and rose again – and He waits in Heaven for you. Rumor has it that He's got a bazillion white stones just waiting for His faithful, redeemed ones.

Um, that would be you and me!


What new name do you need Jesus to give you today?

And how do you feel about that "Forever Name" waiting for you in eternity?!


(I'm linked today with Charlotte at Spiritual Sundays, and Peggy at Soaking On SONday. And please feel free to visit me during the week at my other blog, Sharon Sharing God!)


"When in doubt, search God out!"

7 comments:

  1. Wow! Sharon...so perfectly said. Much identifying going on in my heart and head. The Lord has had me in His sanctuary these past two days, and I am so thankful for His Faithfulness and His forgiveness and LOVE.

    I can't wait to behold my white stone and given new name. I can't fathom holding His hand - even though He's held mine for at least half a century.

    Many blessings to you for a new week
    Patrina <")>><

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  2. My parents were expecting a boy and had the name Robert Joseph picked out for me. But, being born way before ultrasounds they had to wait until I was born. They had to change the name. The closest they could come to Robert Joseph was Roberta Jo. No one ever called me that. I was always Bobbi Jo. I had it legally changed in 1990. The name my Lord has for me will never be changed and I will wear it to glorify Him.

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  3. My middle name is Jo and that was what everybody called me until I was in the first grade. I started signing Charlotte on my papers and the teacher asked my mother if it was OK to call me Charlotte. I didn't like Jo because I thought it sounded like a boy's name. To make it worse my cousin called me Jo-Jo and I really hated that. My family all still call me Jo and everyone else calls me Charlotte. I like Jo now. Probably should have just stuck with it. LOL Actually the only thing that matters is that God knows my name and He can call me whatever He wants to.
    Thanks for sharing. This post brought back memories.
    Blessings,
    Charlotte

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  4. I was called Pammy for years. Even after I was married when I'd go to my home church one man still called me Pammy. But Pamela it is--except for my husband. He calls me Pamalove.

    I really enjoyed this post. My Heavenly Father calls me His!

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  5. Hi Shari (how cute *hubby)... well, WOW...this certainly a well written identity piece filled with gems from your insights, life and God's Word in Revelation! Awesome, Uncle Sharon???

    I love the beautiful balance in your labels of what life may have given us to what God gives us!

    I especially am thrilled of the new name written on the white stone... the one I need quite often to be reminded of... is ACCEPTED, not 'a mistake' or 'the problem'... (one by my father and the other my spouse) along with unfaithful, which can't be undone, according to someone, once you are...that's it. Well, I've proclaimed countless times that I am faithful. I was not a mistake or unwanted but I'm made many mistakes.
    And I am not the problem, each person has their own baggage and problems that affect the other.

    I can't wait for my "forever name" given by Our Lord.

    I also can't believe how cruel the names/labels tossed on you. I don't really remember any like that... but I'm sure others had them for me, I just never heard them (except a 4 letter 's' word from one)...damaging, offensive, cuts like a knife.

    We won't be branded because we are redeemed! Ahhh (sigh) another beautiful Bible Pick 'ems!
    You sure do pick 'em and write 'em right on, sista! I am refreshed and blessed for another week... miss you, too...

    Peace and many blessings,
    Peggy

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  6. Such a beautiful scene you've painted here for us. I've not thought about that moment when I receive my new name, but I am fascinated with thinking about what it might be. I've worn a lot of names over the years... most recently some ones that aren't suited for a child of the King. Instead of wearing them, I need to replace those names with one that has the power to transform my identity. That one name?

    "Loved."

    I need to wear this one more than all the others!

    Thanks for this, Sharon.

    peace`elaine

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  7. Hi Sharon,
    It was a pleasure reading your post this evening. With Jesus we have a changed name, a changed life and a changed eternity. Awesome. We have been set free.
    Blessings,
    Ken

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"So I have been greatly encouraged in the midst of my troubles and suffering, dear brothers and sisters, because you have remained strong in your faith. It gives me new life to know that you are standing firm in the Lord. How I thank God for you!"
(1 Thessalonians 3:7-9)

Thanks for your comments - it is such a joy to be sharing my journey with friends like YOU!