Following on from the fire of God in last week’s blog through Moses observing the burning bush which was not consumed (Exodus 3), this week I felt led to look at how names define us.
For example, In England the surname Baxter denoted a lady baker, a Chapman sold goods at a market and a Turner apparently worked with bone whilst a Shearer did the obvious to sheep and as for Archer, well I’ll let you work that one out!! Basically, what you did – identified who you were.
A good friend of mine wrote a book on the complete workings of a pre computerised car and I understand it contains a complete run down of how it works. The book reflects his very in-depth knowledge of each part, what it does, why its needed and how it fits in with the rest of the engine. Nowadays unlike past centuries in the west, we as this example shows are no longer defined by our trade as the writer is not named Carr, engine or mechanic!!!
Returning to Exodus 3, Moses after observing the burning bush asks God who He is, the response is given in verse 14, God says I am who I am. Prior to that Moses in verse 11 likewise defined himself and partly uses the same words as God only in reverse, when he says Who am I, that I should go to Pharoah and bring the Israelites out of Egypt (v 11).
I am and am I, which define each, two clear examples of who they are but at opposite ends of the scale, despite their soon to be close working connection. Moses unsure, reluctant, whilst God simply states I am who I am, which confirms someone who just is, that is, and therefore was is, and ongoing who will always be is. Moses looked to himself rather than to God and so provided distinct comparisons that separated God and him.
- One who is unlimited except for committing, sin and one who is limited by sin.
- One who never changes, and one who has changed (from a prince whose zeal for his countryman resulted in murder).
- One who is above all and the other who is under the circumstances
- One who never changes who and what He is and one who had changed who and what he is.
Unlike those who were defined by their trade, Moses was, in his own eyes, no longer a prince and successful army commander or a defender of his fellow countryman but an individual who with severely limited perception, sensitivity and ability had defined himself by his lowest human circumstantial terms. Namely an 80-year-old average individual who was, a fugitive, and just an ordinary employed herdsman and family person based in a desert.
As a man thinks so is he (Prov. 23 v 7).
Quite simply Moses had either forgotten or not realised who he was called to be and who was calling him, despite God’s direct intervention and explanation!!!!
Today, under the new covenant you and I have a name that defines us, it’s not our trade name as per a Shearer, it’s not our surname, it is Christian. Like Moses we are called no matter what our human mindset may be. We are called by I am to be His servant priest and thereby carry out the duties that we are told and resourced to do. Whatever they may be.
We are to forget who we think we are, and what we think our limitations are, by remembering that it is I Am who I Am who is sending us. So therefore, we don’t look to the left or right (ourselves or other’s opinions) we look straight ahead to what we are called to do.
A very good illustration is given through the following. A devout spirit filled Christian felt led by the Lord to apply healing to a person, her reply went along the lines of, but I’ve never done that before, to which the Lord replied something like, I have healed many.
We are called, we are unique, we are separated, we are enabled, we are servants who the most high operates through. This is why we are followers of the way, the truth and the life which is Christ. Who is above all, apart from God.
That is why our name is Christian.
With all blessings
Tony
PS This blog is normally updated each Monday.