When God says your name...

I am a writer.

Writer Print by Kathi Denfeld                     

More than that, though... I am a journaler, a diary-keeper, a list maker, a recorder of all the things. I have stacks and stacks of notebooks filled with notes, things God has spoken to me in prayer, in His Word, in sermons... filled with prayer requests and answered prayers... with memories both heart filled and heart broken. 

My life is in words, scribbled out on pages... visions and dreams, goals and lofty ideas... hopes and fears. 

I am a believer of writing things down, of keeping a record of all He has done.


I am a reader.

I have bookcases overflowing and a list ever growing of new books that I want to add to the piles. There are the old books I want to read again, and the new works that I wish to devour... there is the top shelf filled with different versions and translations of the Bible... the book I (should) read most often! There are never enough words... I always hunger for more.

But the most precious thing is not read or written...
It is spoken.

From His lips, piercing straight into my heart.

I am always reminded of the story in the Gospel of Luke about Zacchaeus. You are familiar with it, yes? How Zacchaeus was a tax collector and pretty much despised. He was also being drawn and was curious about Jesus... he climbed the tree to see Him in the crowd, and as Jesus passed by, He spoke Zacchaeus' name.  Jesus invited himself over and it says that Zacchaeus received him joyfully! (Luke 19:1-10)  

I'm not sure exactly, but I can guess that when Zacchaeus' name was spoken before, it was never spoken with such Love and Grace and Adoration.  I'm not sure who is saying your name or how it sounds to your ears, to your spirit... but I know that when God says your name it melts your heart and pierces straight through, in all the best ways!

I have written about it before, but there is no sweeter sound than the sound of Jesus, saying your name.  He has known your name long before you knew His... long before you knew Him.  

He named you on purpose,
with purpose.

In all of my stacks of journals, this week I found this from 2007:  (but I believe it is a Word for now as well!)

God is about to hand out some new names!  If you want one, wait & listen... He is about to start calling them out! 

As we began to enter into prayer today, our leader reminded us of a vision that someone had given her about climbing stairs to see an open heaven, & the Lord told her that whatever she asked for in prayer, she would receive. She encouraged us to see that stairway to the open heavens as we worshiped.

As soon as the music started, I could see myself climbing up these enormous stairs. Pearly white... Steep... beautiful! Before I crested the top, I heard a Voice behind me speak, 

"There is Power in My Name!

...and there is power in your name as well!

I have called you BY NAME!

For many, your anointing lies in the name which you were given at birth, and for many, I am giving you a new name. Listen & hear Me, for I will call you by name!" 

"Whenever your name is spoken out loud, it stirs up the anointing & gift & character that I have placed within you. Just as in the Spiritual Realm, when My Name is spoken, there is a stirring & a shifting in the unseen world, so this happens when your name is spoken & you step into all that I have called you to be!"

"First, & Foremost, don't ever forget, I have called you to be MINE! Listen for My Voice, My Daughter, My Bride, for I am about to speak your name! Learn & Research it, Seek out the meaning of it & know that when I see you, when I call you by name, I am calling forth all that I have put inside of you for such a time as this!"

I then looked over into the open heavens and saw the most colorful, vivid landscape spread out before me. As I tried to drink in the colors & music & hugeness of it all, I noticed a beautiful old tree, with it's branches all stretched out & curved by the wind; it provided shade beside a gorgeous, flowing stream. Underneath the shaded tree, was a blanket spread out & Someone laying down, seemingly looking right at me, ...waiting for me. On the blanket I noticed a Royal Crown laying in the empty space of the blanket... God reminded me then that in November, He had spoken a 'new name' over me... (it was "Sarah" which is Hebrew & means "Princess") I also saw several of my journals, my Bible, a picnic basket with food & cool water... & as I drew closer, Psalm 1 was written out on the grass that led to my blanket. "Blessed is the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful; But his delight is in the law of the LORD, And in His law he meditates day and night. He shall be like a tree Planted by the rivers of water, That brings forth its fruit in its season Whose leaf also shall not wither; And whatever he does shall prosper. "(Psalm 1:1-3)

I then remembered that last month, God set me in contact with a stranger from Australia. She shares my same name... & had never found anyone with the same name & spelling before. She was wondering if I was from Australia because the name is an Aboriginal name, & it means:

"A Resting Place, near the water."

(Yeah. I'll take that!)

So lately, I have been saying His name. More often than usual... not out of urgency or need, just under my breath through out my day because a few weeks ago He told me that when I hallow His Name, he hollows out more room in my heart for Him. He swells within me. 

But I am finding when I say His name, if I listen closely, He answers right back in saying my name as well! And there has never been a sweeter sound.

P.S.  I'm linking up with these lovely writers:

The Unforced Rhythms Community

Holly Barrett for #TestimonyTuesday

Jennifer Dukes Lee for #TellHisStory

Holley Gerth for #CoffeeforYourHeart

Can I invite you to speak His name... and to lean in and listen?

Do you know the meaning of your name? Do you love it, or are you hoping for a new name? I'd love to know!

(Me? I used to go by a shortened version of my name, until He told me that He named me on purpose - and the meaning of my name was hidden in my DNA!)