” . . . a spiritual name change can be a long process. . . . We have to give ourselves permission to take time and not expect that our new name is going to come easily or without a fight. . . . New means ‘not like we used to be’. New means believing what God says about us and living into this new identity and reality with complete trust in Him.”- Esther Fleece Allen
“Elijah went before the people and said, ‘How long will you waver between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow him, but if Baal is God, follow him.’ But the people said nothing.”- 1 Kings 18:21 (NIV)
Esther Fleece Allen concludes Chapter 5 of Your New Name as she exhorts us to stop straddling the fence and not give up in the middle of a name change. Certainly, the Israelites knew how to straddle the fence. They said nothing when Elijah asked them to choose between the Lord and Baal.
Therefore, Esther asks you to imagine God speaking to you and asking one of His signature questions. What if you said nothing in response? Esther explains the implications:
“As God speaks to us, He reveals His heart to transform us. Our silence reveals our backseat ambivalence about allowing such transformation to take place. The absurdity of saying nothing in the face of this astonishing invitation speaks for itself.”
As a result, we need to admit to God where we really stand in life, not where we want to be. And we need to tell God which label we’re listening to – the one we take on as our identity. Thus, it’s imperative that we contend for becoming new. Because discovery never comes easily, not does living out of our new name.
In conclusion, Esther stresses the worth of wrestling:
“Do you believe that God wants a fresh start for you even more than you do? God is kinder that we think He is! We don’t have to settle for what our old names meant or how we lived out of them. Ask God today for a new name and wrestle with Him until you hear it. He’d rather have us wrestle in faith than not respond at all.”
Today’s question: Do you see a spiritual name change as a long process? Please share.
Coming Monday: the Easter Short Meditation -, “Unassuming people — extraordinarily ordinary”
Tomorrow’s blog: “The enemy of your soul never speaks life”
