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From YourSITE.com Monday Moments
To him who overcomes, I will give . . . a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to him who receives it. (Revelation 2:17) In many cultures a name has meaning beyond a syllable or two to distinguish one person from another. This was the case with Biblical names, so Adam, for example, meant “man,” and Eve came from the Hebrew word “to live” or “to breathe.” We are told that their sons were “Acquired” (Cain), “Breath” (Abel) and “Appointed” (Seth). Abraham was a contraction of two words meaning “father of many.” Sarah meant “lady” or “princess.” Occasionally a name might be changed for a time to reflect one’s attitude or condition in life. So in the book of Ruth (“friend”) we read of Naomi (“pleasant”) who, after many years away, returned to her hometown of Bethlehem following the deaths of her husband and two sons. Her former neighbors were excited to see her again. “Can this be Naomi?” they exclaimed. “‘Don’t call me Naomi (“pleasant”),’ she told them. ‘Call me Mara (“bitter”), because the Almighty has made my life very bitter. I went away full, but the Lord has brought me back empty. Why call me Naomi?’” (Ruth 1:20) Why indeed? Let my name reflect where I am in life! See me as I see myself. My dad had five sisters, each with the name of a precious stone for a second name: Ruth Ruby, Orpha Opal, Gladys Pearl, Priscilla Diamond and Gwendolyn Amethyst. “My precious jewels” my grandmother called them. The names did not guarantee ideal life circumstances for any of them, but it could not have hurt to have borne such labels through the years. To be able to look in a mirror and see one called Opal or Amethyst, to know that someone thought so highly of me as to give me that for my name—well, I can only imagine that it caused shoulders to be thrown back and chin lifted and heart cheered at important moments. Diamond meant “I am valuable in this world,” Ruby suggested “Someone thinks I am beautiful,” and Pearl said, “Wow! Look at you, girl!” Few of us were fortunate enough to have parents who named us deliberately to attribute strength, confidence or beauty. But God has given us such names: Beloved, Able To Overcome, Joyful, Strong To Endure, Energized, Hopeful. We can remind ourselves every day of those names—those qualities we prize . . . and seek . . . and live by. Why not use them? Let my name reflect God’s perspective! See me as God does. *********************************************** Monday Moments are written by Dr. Michael A. Halleen. If you receive this
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