New Name, New Identity, New Year

"What's in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet." —Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet, Act II, Scene 2

Dear Family and Friends,

The Christmas season is here, and with it – I have had names on my mind. Allow me to ask this question from a well-known text: “What’s in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet.” What is in a name? Juliet was looking to see Romeo the person, beyond the name. Yet I must admit that I’m deviating from where Shakespeare’s question was headed, because there is much in a name!

Names give us identity and belonging, and how wonderful it is that our God fulfills this identity for us in the person of our Savior. Isaiah prophesied that “the virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel,” meaning ‘God is with us’ (Isa.7:14). Jeremiah comforted Jerusalem and told of when God would “make a righteous Branch sprout from David’s line,” saying that this man would be called “The Lord Our Righteousness” (Jer.33:15,16). And an angel of the Lord instructed Joseph and Mary to name her son Jesus, “because he will save his people from their sins” since he is the “Son of the Most High” (Mt.1:21, Lk.1:31-32).

God’s name ‘Immanuel’ identifies God with us, the crown of his creation that fell into sin, rejects him, and deserves nothing but death and everlasting condemnation. Yet since the time of Adam and Eve, God promised to bring us to Him by letting us call Him our righteousness. God’s name not only identifies Him with us, but He also has identified us with Him. It is by His grace, His undeserved love, He is our righteousness. And by faith in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ we are the redeemed children of God. How blessed we are! How truly glorious is the name of the Lord!

Perhaps some people would find me weak for admitting this, but I know I wouldn't be able to survive on just my own strength. Yes, to all appearances I'd say I'm a fairly independent person. Yet I know my own failings and how fragile I really am, so with that in mind how could I stand solely on my own? 

And as for depending on someone else... can I really expect another imperfect human being to be my unfailing strength when my own strength fails? No, because at some point, his or her own strength will also fail.

This is why I find such joy and peace, knowing that God has claimed me and that I belong to Him. It is when I lose focus, when I forget that He's in complete control of my life, that I find that day or week to be bleak and depressing. 

It all comes back to God, His everlasting care, His enduring strength, His almighty power that holds control of all that was, is, and will come. 

Montana - December 2012

With that focus in mind as I look to this new year in 2013, I must admit that I’m still contemplating my life’s direction. I’m considering whether to pursue graduate or law studies, to travel and teach English abroad in another country, or to finally knuckle down and expand my English creative writing thesis into the full-fledged novel it’s intended to be. Or perhaps all three! 

Whatever my future holds, I’m confident in the knowledge that God is in control of my destiny, and I’m looking forward with joyful anticipation as He is revealing His grand design for my amazing life!

May God continue to bless us all in the coming new year!

"Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God." —Cornelia "Corrie" ten Boom

Restless Heart, Prayerful Thanks

“Thou hast made us for thyself, O Lord, and our hearts are restless until they find their rest in thee.” —Saint Augustine 

The silent phone and the silent home… the reminder, amid the aching, that my God is still here with me, even while in the moment I feel so deeply alone.

The tissue box beside the bed… the ever-faithful tear catchers.

The faithful stuffed blue bunny… the comforting presence of a childhood friend who revives cherished memories.

The restless turning… knowing that my heart is restless, and remembering that I will only find rest in Him.

The unanswered questions… because I am still actively seeking and haven’t given up; because I am human and finite, and I am forced to realize that I have no answers to what the future holds.

The calming spiritual music… the echoing of my thoughts, infusing my mind with reminders of all that I need to trust and believe, even when I don’t understand.

The candle light… banishing the deep darkness and the haunting nightmares behind by eyes.

The passing time… marking the approaching morning light as the moments trail by.

The praying lips… the outpouring of words, asking for wisdom to listen for His answers and seeking comfort for my troubled soul; always wishing I’d begun sooner.

The heavy eyes… the promise of sleep soon to come.

The long sigh… releasing the shame of squandered wishes, daily failures, and unfinished work, and leaving them in His most capable hands.

The final drifting thoughts… that the coming day is bright and new, to be lived fully; and that courageous love is possible, because of my Father’s everlasting love for me.

“Now I lay me down to sleep, I pray the Lord my soul to keep,If I shall die before I wake, I pray the Lord my soul to take,
And this I ask for Jesus’ sake. Amen.”