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What's in a Name?
Friday, October 16, 2009 at 12:00AM Can you name all twelve disciples?
Most of us can name Matthew, Peter, Andrew, James, John, and Judas. But what about the other six (Matthew 10:2-4)?
Can you recite any names of the seventy-two that Jesus commissioned and sent out ahead of Him into all the places He planned to visit (Luke 10:1)?
You shouldn’t be able to answer this one. Their names aren’t mentioned.
Which brings me to the purpose of this blog post.
Last night I received some news about an aspect of my ministry. I found out my name was minimally inlcuded on a significant marketing tool.
As I ingested this little piece of information, my initial reaction was tearfulness.
My second reaction was anger. What about all the work I had done?
My third reaction was realization. Realization that the presentation I am giving this weekend focuses on making sure our service and missions point others to Christ, not ourselves.
Oh! Ouch!
My fourth reaction was immediate confession and handing the entire situation over to God to use for His glory alone. What else could I do?
And in the quiet moment after letting go, my heart asked my head the questions that I asked you.
Can you name all twelve disciples? Can you recite any of the names of the seventy-two?
And then I realized, my name is not what matters.
Serving Jesus Christ and making His name known does! I want this truth to be at the center of everything I do!
Where are you struggling today? Whose name is most important to you?
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Reader Comments (4)
Kristen: An 86 year old member of our congregation recited this poem in church one day. She memorized it in Sunday School when she was a little girl. Then she made copies of it
for all of her circle members. I regret to say I haven't memorized it yet!
The Chosen Twelve
Jesus called them one by one.
Peter, Andrew, James and John.
Then came Philip, Thomas, Matthew and Bartholomew:
James (the one they called "The Less"); Simon, also Thaddeus.
Twelve Apostles Judas made.
Jesus was by him betrayed!
Ouch is right!! I forget sometimes that the glory goes to God and not me. My pride gets in the way.
Praying that God keeps you healthy for Sunday, as you speak to the LWML in Altenberg. Praying for Sam now too!! Love you so much!!
Letting go of our egos is a hard lesson to learn. Like Children we are prone to be self centered. I learned this lesson from my friend Marla, "GOD IS IN CONTROL" and being our Father he realizes this weakness of ours. He knows our weaknesses and our mistakes and yet his love is there for all of us. What in a name? So much and we should never forget that our names HE knows. Thank you for this insight today. In Christ . Peace.