I begin by sharing a squad leader’s, Molly Fae, impression on my heart in January. She expressed to me that names hold power because they are spoken over us daily. They are also the first word spoken over us at birth. Names are part of our identity. In many cultures your name symbolizes your identity. During college Molly Fae changed her name adding the Fae. Which God then used as a tool to show Molly Fae her true identity on The World Race. This planted a seed I meditated on for weeks.
During squad session, the Lord wanted me to know this all the way into the deep marrow of my bones: He loves me just the way I am.
He was speaking to me directly through the Parable of the Prodigal Son in Luke 15:11-32. The son left home in an attempt to fill his desires with the world. I related to this as I am sure many do. God created us with desires for something more, something greater. He created us to have desires only He can fill.
I gave what little I had to Jesus. Shed away my worldly identity only to wear a new false identity of unworthiness. This resembles the Prodigal Son as he returned home he felt unworthy and deserved to be treated as a servant.
His father welcomed him home with open arms. Celebrating his return, dressing him in the best robe, placing a ring on his hand, shoes on his feet and a celebration with the fattest calf. This is how the Lord welcomes His children home. This is how He celebrates and wants us to live our lives. As His beloved sons and daughters.
Ephesians 1:4-5 “Even as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before Him. In love He predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ according to the purpose of His will.”
So at this point my mind is blown. I’ve had a bad habit of believing the worst about myself. Believing what lies people speak over me. This created a false self and identity. I decided from that day on I would no longer believe the lies. I was ready to hear (forshadowing) God’s truths.
Earlier in the day I’d looked up the meaning of my name Haley. It means “clearing”, “meadow” or “hay” which has no special meaning or identity to me.
I then looked up the meaning of Simone my middle name. Simone derived from Hebrew origin, Simon, a popular name throughout scripture. Simone means ,“She who hears, God has heard”, “one who hears”, “to hear”.
I no longer wanted to feel the weight of my insecurities of feeling unlovable, unintelligent and the weight of my past. So I made a firm decision to no longer be Haley, “a clearing,” or just hay blowing in the wind.
I am a daughter of the King, who He hears, who hears Him and a sister who hears others and the name now spoken over me is Simone, this is my identity.
Revelation 2:17 “Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who is victorious, I will give some of the hidden manna. I will also give that person a white stone with a new name written on it, know only to the one who receives it.”
