In my previous post I mentioned that our group started a journey to find a NEW name. We went on a journey to find that name that the Lord has given to us. Most of the time my friends call me either Aaron or by my last name when they speak to me. My family knows me on a more personal level, and have given me "nicknames" if you will. I'll give away a couple, my middle name is Charles and my parents generally call me Chuck. My grandparents call me Chuck or Charlie, unless I'm in trouble. My wife knows me once again on a deeper level, a different form of love. Most of the time my wife calls me sweetie or honey. Then my children have a different name for me as well, they know me as daddy. All of these names are for me, but they all have a different meaning.
We are striving to get on a deeper level with the Father. Their are billions and billions of people that have lived and died throughout the existence of the earth. Scripture tells us that before He made us in the womb, He knew us (Jeremiah 1:5). God knew us before our parents even thought about us. Jesus knows us better than we even know ourselves. Even though billions of us are living on earth, in heaven, or sadly in hell, Jesus still knows us by name. Jesus not only knows our name, but he knows how many hairs are on our head. He knows everything about us, the good, bad, and ugly. Every person throughout existence is known by Him and He loves us on a level so deep we cannot even fathom. So our goal on this new journey was to claim that name. As I wrote in the last post, we had a ceremony for Bill and myself at the annual retreat we have. I would like keep the name and the affirmation that I was given by the men in our group to just our group because it was so personal. The ceremony was very emotional and the Holy Spirit was with us in the room as we spoke to each other. I believe as men we love to hold our feelings in, but I believe many tears were shed that night.
The scripture that I believe I was given was Proverbs 2 2:6. Basically the scripture talks about searching for wisdom as if it were treasure. The scripture describes how we should turn our hearts to wisdom and understanding, so that we fully understand the Fear of the Lord. Proverbs 8: 22-36 also was put on my heart throughout this journey. At the end of the chapter it says "for those who find me, find life". That line just hit my heart as I am on this crazy journey in life. I have no idea what is going to happen tomorrow nor the next hour. As I go through life with my family it seems one day is great, and the next day will be the complete opposite. I am the head of my household and I am honestly scared out of my mind that I am going to steer this ship into an ice burg and sink the boat. As I have grown up and gotten deeper in the word and my relationship with the Father, He has shown me the importance of wisdom. Like King Solomon in the bible, I have understood that I need to search hard for wisdom, so that it can guide me throughout this crazy life. It will guide me closer to the Father and will guide me as I make decisions for the household the Father has given me to lead.
At the end of my ceremony, I was given dog tags with the name the Lord has given me and a knife. The knife was a gift we chose to give each other that signifies our brotherhood and gives us affirmation as men. I was told that I am a man of God and that I am worth it. I don't know about you, even with my relationship with God I have those days. I have those days where I think, man I am not sure if anybody understands what I am going through. It is like a breath of fresh air to hear that I am worth it no matter what. God says I am worth it. If you are reading this, God says that you are worth it as well.
The next part of our journey for Bill and myself is to take ownership of our names. Find other men that love the Lord that can speak into our lives as we go along this journey. The other part for Bill and I is to continual pray for the other men in our group to find their names. We are excitedly waiting in anticipation for our next ceremony, so we can share words of wisdom and affirmation that the Lord gives us.
For anyone reading this post, I wish that you would go deeper with the Father. Dig into the Word a little more than usual. Spend time in prayer a little more than you do each day. Ask the Lord for the name He has given you. I can tell you by experience that you will feel blessed by His words. I pray this day that you will seek wisdom and understand the Fear of the Lord. Because the Fear of the Lord, is the Beginning of all wisdom. And those who find wisdom, find life!! Amen!
God bless!!
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