Name – The Jesus Chick

Tonight my friend Gloria and I will be traveling to the Mountaineer Opry House in Milton, West Virginia to hear Doyle Lawson and Quick Silver. If you’re into the bluegrass genre of music you likely know the name; if you’re not, you’ve deprived yourself of one of life’s greatest treats. Gloria and I joked a few days ago about what we planned to wear hoping not to clash with Brother Doyle (He is a Christian) when we had a photo op, so I told her I’d message him on Facebook and ask. Right now you think I’m Shari the stalker girl… nope, I just like to see how truly personable an artist is. And sure enough Doyle messaged me back, although he wasn’t sure what he was wearin’. So I’m going to try to dress relatively neutral in hopes of getting that perfect pic. My point of this conversation is I’m a fan of Doyle’s but he’s not a fan of Shari, and that’s okay if he never remembers my name because the One who knows my name, never forgets.

Yesterday morning as I was blogging about allowing a past hurt to keep me awake and continue to burden my life another Facebook message popped up from a lady I hardly know. We’re Facebook friends, I’ve met her a time or two, we’ve shared testimonies and she sings beautifully, but other than that I know very little about her, and she knows very little about me. But the message popped up saying “Shari, good morning! I don’t know why, but your FULL name was in my mind when I woke up and I can’t shake it. I am praying for you.”

I was stunned and humbled that God had laid my name on the heart of uncommon friend and so very grateful that she was a faithful servant who hearkened to what He had ask. It served to remind me of how powerful God is and the power in a name.

Jesus told the disciples in Luke 10:20

Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.

As many things as God has allowed me to do, sing, speak, artistry and so much more, as awesome as those gifts have been to me, they pale in comparison to the fact that my name is written in Heaven. Those gifts may or may not fade someday; but my name is in indelible ink. Nothing can blot it out or cause God to forget that I am His. If you are a child of God, don’t put credence in who you think you are because of what you can do or cannot do. For even the unsaved have great talents and gifts. But the greatest thing of all is that the Creator of the Universe knows your name. “So what,” if Doyle Lawson doesn’t know who Shari Johnson is, He who created Doyle Lawson knows who Shari Johnson is and has my eternity planned with things I cannot even fathom. Man! You thought the bluegrass shindigs were great down here, wait ‘til we get there! Now that’s worth rejoicing in!

1 Samuel 16:16-18 ~ Let our lord now command thy servants, which are before thee, to seek out a man, who is a cunning player on an harp: and it shall come to pass, when the evil spirit from God is upon thee, that he shall play with his hand, and thou shalt be well. And Saul said unto his servants, Provide me now a man that can play well, and bring him to me. Then answered one of the servants, and said, Behold, I have seen a son of Jesse the Bethlehemite, that is cunning in playing, and a mighty valiant man, and a man of war, and prudent in matters, and a comely person, and the Lord is with him.

When Saul fell out of fellowship with God, God allowed an evil spirit to trouble him;I believe it is still the case today when someone who once served God stops serving Him, and begins serving the world again, that God will allow their to be trouble in their soul, an un-rest where there was once rest and peace. He’ll also allow a peace to be felt in the presence of other Christians in their lives to bring to remembrance the peace God once afforded them.

David had obviously made quite the impression on the community as a harpist (the original bluegrasser’s ya know), but not enough to make his name a household word. He was still referred to as “the son of Jesse.” He was known for his music, his mastery in war and life’s circumstances and he was quite the looker. All of that is in those verses, just not with the same adjectives I used to describe him, but its there. And last but not least they say “and the Lord is with him.” It was his secular talent that got him noticed, but it was obvious to everyone he was blessed by God.

What we do outside the church is important, and it’s important that we do it well. If we profess we are Christians, how awesome would it be that when someone described our character and abilities that they followed it with “and the Lord is with them.” They probably won’t. But you better believe that a Christian who does not do their job well will often be referred to as “and they say their a Christian…”

David was first noticed for his abilities, but they also knew that God’s hand was upon him. And who knows how many souls were saved because he drew attention to himself through his talents, but glorified God in the process. So… what are you doing with your talents today? Are you a person who desires God’s heart?

The world may not know your name, but what’s more important is that they know your God.

Tag: Name

The Power of a Name

They didn’t know his name, but they knew his God