I truly like names, a lot. I think they are fun. I really like names with stories and/or meanings.
Personally I believe that names are a powerful thing. Every time we speak someone’s name we are speaking something over them, whether it be a meaning, memory, or even traits of a namesake. Usually everybody is given their name for a reason yet for some that reason may not be obvious. (Sounds a little odd and I know you’re probably wondering where I’m going with this, please bear with me.)
For me the reason behind my first name was a mystery. My mom had other names picked out; she’s not really sure where Brooke came from. I’ve spent a fair amount of time looking up the meaning of my name. They all usually run about the same: flowing stream, small stream, etc. Not too exciting really.
The Sunday before I left for training camp my church prayed over me. One of the ladies that prayed said something that caught my attention. Basically she prayed my name over me (just a little confused here). One thing she spoke specifically was that all my springs would be found in God and that I would return to Him constantly. She used my name as a prayer? My name? As I thought about it in the car this song came on:
‘Cause all your fountains are in Me, and I have everything you need, so just keep coming back to Me.
Twice in one day? It was like the song was reiterating the prayer.
That Saturday training camp happened. There was a lot of songs, lessons, and prayers about being in the River, God’s river. A few weeks have gone by since then. But now, just over a week ago, God has lead me into a new Bible study, and what would it be but a study on brooks!
God has been showing me some really neat verses and teaching me more of who I am in Him. He has been showing me that my name truly does have meaning in His Kingdom! I want to share just a taste of what He has been showing me.
He sends the springs into the valleys;
They flow among the hills.
They give drink to every beast of the field;
The wild donkeys quench their thirst.
By them the birds of the heavens have their home;
They sing among the branches.
He waters the hills from His upper chambers;
The earth is satisfied with the fruit of Your works.
Psalm 104:10-13
“I long to be that brook, or spring, that You send into the ‘valleys’ to quench the thirst for You so that homes can be made whole, worship will abound, and the world would be satisfied by Your works and the fruits thereof.”
The Lord will guide you continually,
And satisfy your soul in drought,
And strengthen your bones;
You shall be like a watered garden,
And like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail.
Isaiah 58:11
“To follow You and return to You is to be strengthened and watered by You. Your waters in me will not fail!”
He shall drink of the brook by the wayside;
Therefore He shall lift up the head.
Psalm 110:7
“Will I be as one refreshing those that have just come from battle? If they come to me will they drink deeply of Jesus‘ wisdom and be lifted up?
God not only spoke to me through His written word, but also in that ‘still small voice’ I heard,
“You are a stream flowing with My waters.”
Maybe my mom doesn’t know why she named me Brooke, but I now believe it was God who gave her the idea.
I’m not sure why I felt lead to share this with y’all, but I pray that maybe it would encourage you. God has chosen you and knows the reasons you have the talents you do. He gave them to You. Maybe, for some, the same is true for your name. Sounds odd, but this month I learned there is truth to it.
Through Christ,
Brooke
