WATCHWORD:
“Anyone with ears to hear must listen to the Spirit and understand what he is saying to the churches. To everyone who is victorious I will give some of the manna that has been hidden away in heaven. And 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
Choose a good reputation over great riches; being held in high esteem is better than silver or gold. Proverbs 22:1
Meditation:
What Is Your Name?
Mike Wittmer, in a recent Our Daily Bread, wrote a devotional, entitled “What’s Your Name?” He begins with this statement: “Someone said we go through life with three names: the name our parents gave us, the names others give us (our reputation), and the name we give ourselves (our character). So, what do you value most — A good reputation or maintaining a sterling character?
I think the answer to that question varies as we go through the ages and stages of life. In the midst of the angst of adolescence we want to be liked, to have friends, especially the “in-group”. So, the vote would be toward reputation. Later, as life goes trudging by, we are called to exercise character; what do we believe, what is the right thing to do, etc. You have heard the phrase, “not what they say, but what they do.” That is character, that is what we pray we have modeled for our children.
You know, sometimes our reputation suffers because of decisions we have made, mistakes that have happened, and how we use some of our words without thinking. Sometimes others may view our character as beyond repair. But let me share with you what I believe is important. It’s not what others may think of you or even call you. We are often our worst critic, but it is not what we think of ourselves at any given moment. Neither your reputation nor your character ultimately defines you, or really matters. You are who Jesus says you are.
Those three names that we carry around, work for the here and now, in this sphere. But, according to Revelation, there is a fourth name, one given by God to everyone who is victorious. That new name you will carry through eternity, no one can understand it except the one who has received it. That new name will chart your blessed course in the Heavenly Vast.
I don’t think we mortals can figure out what that new name will be. What I think, for what it’s worth, is that as we build a reputation, as we exercise our character, as we do the right thing, as we reach out to our fellow man, and as we love the Lord our God with all of our heart and our mind and soul, and, in the process, we are foraging our new name on that white stone that we will receive from God.
Final word? Live into your new name. Amen.
Bulletin Board:
‘What’s In A Name?’ Spoken by Juliet, Act 2 Scene 2
“What’s in a name? That which we call a rose,
By any other name would smell as sweet.”
Closing Prayer:
Dear heavenly father, I believe I am who you say I am. Help me to live as your child. Amen.
