Namesake
I grew up in a household where children had a first or second name derived from the Bible: Faith, Charity, Grace…you get the idea. Then, my husband and I named our firstborn Creedence Wade. His name, with its nod to an old rock band, was a drastic departure from my family’s naming tradition!
Hanging on Creedence’s bedroom wall is the lyrics to a song, not written by his namesake, but by Rich Mullins. The song echoes the famous creeds of our faith. “I believe in God the Father Almighty Maker of Heaven and Maker of Earth.” I pray almost every day that Creedence will grow to be a strong leader who loves God and stands strong for what he believes. The creeds of our faith. The standard found in Scripture. The assurance of things not yet seen (faith’s definition recorded in Hebrews 11:1).
The world desperately seeks for truth and meaning through its own faulty devices. The ensuing chaos results in an intimidating landscape for boldly proclaiming Christ. Though I understand the challenge, I also anticipate the opportunity.
I’ve been thinking a lot about standing tall. The world desperately seeks for truth and meaning through its own faulty devices. The ensuing chaos results in an intimidating landscape for boldly proclaiming Christ. Though I understand the challenge, I also anticipate the opportunity. What a beautiful position God has given us on eternity’s timeline!
Consider Moses as an example. In Hebrews 11, we read that he scorned the treasures of Egypt to identify as an Israelite because he looked ahead to the reward (vv. 24-26). Jesus said to rejoice when we experience ridicule and hardships because of our loyalty to him (Matthew 5:11–12). By faith, we see that our reward in heaven will far surpass the discomfort of today. We are being granted the privilege to pick up our cross and share in the suffering of Christ—the only begotten, beloved by the Father (Luke 9:23; Philippians 3:10). The Apostles rejoiced “because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name” (Acts 5:41). May the opposition we encounter discipline our hearts to encourage each other with these hard, beautiful truths of perseverance in the gospel (Galatians 6:9; Hebrews 11:19–24; 12:12)!
Upon hearing that a friend’s son had been named after him, John Newton replied, “May the name of Newton be to him as a lighthouse upon a hill as he grows up, to warn him against the evils I ran upon in my youth, and on which (without a miracle of mercy) I should have suffered a fatal shipwreck” (Aitken, p. 390). Many times, I have let the fear of conflict, the quest for acceptance, and my love for the world be prioritized over my Saviour’s redemption. I trip up even in the little things of speaking harshly and complaining quietly. However, I will not define myself by my past successes or shortcomings for I press on to run the race set before me (Philippians 3:13–14). I continue to marvel that I have been saved from his wrath on my sins through Christ (Rom. 5:9; I John 1:7)!
Thro’ many dangers, toils, and snares,
I have already come;
‘Tis grace has brought me safe thus far,
And grace will bring me home.
