A New Name:  By Shauna Leis

            “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.  To him who overcomes, I will give some of the hidden manna.  I will also give him a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to him who receives it.”

                                                                                                Revelation 2:17 NIV

            What’s in a name?  Names can provide so much meaning into who a person is or where a person has been.  Especially back in biblical times, a name carried so many different meanings.  When Jesus called his first disciples, immediately He gave Simon, son of John a new name - Peter.  Jesus knew that eventually Peter, Greek for “rock”, would be the foundation of the new Christian church.  Peter went through some difficult trials to get there, but eventually he would prove himself true to his new name. 

            When I was a little girl, I dreamed of getting married to my knight in shining armor on his white horse.  I did find my knight in shining armor, but there was definitely no horse with it.  To this day, my favorite point in the wedding ceremony was the point at which the pastor said, “Ladies and gentlemen, may I introduce to you, Mr. and Mrs. Anthony Leis.”  No longer was I the Shauna Powell of old.  My former single self had passed away and my married self was rewarded with a new name.  Now, my mom still at times struggles with it to this day (and we have been married 10 years now!).  But, I guess that is understandable considering she knew me for so much longer as someone else.

            Our two children’s names were also chosen with much care.  While we were pregnant with our firstborn, a son, we searched through the Bible looking for a name that would represent his character (even though we did not know what that would be yet, but we knew that God already had him formed).  God lead us to the story of Jesus calling his disciples and the life of King David and our child became Nathaniel.  Nathaniel, the disciple, was one of the first people to declare Jesus as the Son of God.  Nathan, the prophet to King David, spoke God’s word to David and the people of Israel.  Our Nathan has already proven to us that he is filled with the Spirit of God and will be called into great service to Him one day.  Our sweet baby girl represents healing and restoration.  My husband and I went through a very rocky period in between our two children.  So, she quickly became Grace, as she represents the ultimate Grace of God in a new beginning for us and for our marriage. 

            What is even more amazing than all of this is that one day, when we get to heaven we will receive a new name once more.  All of the old self will be wiped away, and our new self in heaven will be given a clean start.  We will receive a new name, written on a white stone, that only we will know because it will be given to us by God himself.  I do not know about you, but I cannot wait until that day when God hands me a white stone, and declares “you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator” Colossians 3:9-10.  Oh, how I pray that I am being renewed in the image of my Creator and growing in knowledge of Him.

Pray with me:  Elohim, my Creator.  From the beginning of time, you knew me and formed me, and are continually renewing me in the image of you.  I pray that one day I will receive my new name in heaven.  But until that day, I pray each day that I will live up to the name I have received through fellowship with you.  May I be salt and light to the earth so that they may see you through me.  You created me to have a plan and a purpose and I will seek after you with all of my heart!