A New Name
During our 2nd debrief in Kenya, I was given a new name. Winds of Rain. The definition the Lord gave is this: One who brings refreshing showers to those in dry seasons but can shift through any season. Constant refreshing. Flows where led.
Each of person on our squad was prophesied a new name. These new names often are not necessarily to demonstrate the character of Christ we already have, but the character of Christ we are to become.
For example, Jesus told Simon (renamed ‘Peter’) in Matt 16 that he was going to be the rock of the church. The name ‘Peter’ apparently sounds like ‘rock.’ Now this was at a time when Simon Peter was generally just living out of fear of man; he was a coward. Not too long after this, he even denied that he knew Jesus multiple times. He was hardly a man worthy of being the rock of the church. However Jesus saw in Peter what Peter was to become and called that out of him. After Jesus’ death and resurrection, Peter finally stepped out and walked in the name that Jesus had called him into. He became the rock of the church, speaking truth to the believers and unbelievers, calling all to an intimate relationship with the Lord.
Since being on the race, I have begun to understand the power of names, how names are often prophetic. Now, when I’m sharing with someone about Christ, the first thing I do is try learn his or her name, and more often than not, it’s a biblical name. Many times God speaks to me through their name.
One man I was sharing with was named Daniel. God so clearly showed me how this man was to be like his namesake in scripture. Daniel and the Lions Den is a well-known story of the Old Testament. (If you don't know the story, read Daniel in the Old Testament) Daniel of the bible was fearless before the Lord; no matter what the world or his friends were doing, he knew and did what the Lord was calling him to do. He stood firm in the words of the Lord. This should’ve led to his death in a pit with hungry lions if it had not been for the saving work of God. I was given the opportunity to lead Daniel in Kenya to a relationship with our Father and be able to encourage him with what the Lord had told me through his name and the story of Daniel in the bible.
God named David King of Israel while David was a mere, young shepherd boy. David’s father didn’t even count David worthy enough to be presented before Samuel. God, however, saw what David was to become. This empowered David to go before, fight, and kill Goliath, a man twice his size, abilities, and war experience. David knew that God had called him to be King of Israel and he walked in the identity in which God called him, allowing no fear to overtake him.
God names us and renames us to call us into greater things, into His greater love. Second Corinthians 3:18 says, “And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.” We are continually being transformed more and more into the image of God.
One of the girls on my team very wisely said once, “God can see us, not as we are, but what we can become when we give our lives over to Him.” I love that the Lord sees who we are to become as well as who we are now. As we walk in the name and life God calls us, we behold His glory and His image and we become more like him.
Am I at a place of being constantly refreshing or flowing where led? Heck, no! But it is something I will hopefully grow into as I continue to seek the Lord and become more and more like Him.
What name is the Lord calling you into?
Are you seeing yourself as He sees you?
As a daughter or son of the most loving Father?
Are you seeing your brother or sister in the light of who God is calling them to be?
Or are you seeing them as they are?
