The
Lord’s Name
By Sharon Musgrove
“But now thus says the Lord, he who
created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: "Fear not, for I have
redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine.” Isaiah 43:1 ESV
“’At that time I will bring you in, Yes,
at the time I gather you together; for I will make you a name and a praise
among all the peoples of the earth, when I restore your fortunes [and freedom] before
your eyes,’ says the Lord.” Zephaniah
3:20 AMP
When I married, I took my husband’s
last name for my own. It was a time when
it was becoming common for women to either keep their maiden names or to
hyphenate the two names. Personally, I
was happy to take on the new name feeling like it was a fresh start to life. I had no idea.
My life as a “Musgrove” has not been
anything like what I expected, while at the same time has contained most of the
things I had hoped for. Planning on
duties like cooking, finances, household chores and eventually parenting, I
looked forward to all the things I’d do.
The unanticipated challenge was changing from being an individual to a
partner. The growth curve was in prioritizing
someone else (my spouse) and something else (the marriage) over myself.
There were other significant changes to
becoming Musgrove. My husband’s family
was firmly rooted in business in our community and had an established
reputation. To behave rashly could tarnish not only my reputation but would
affect the family and business. No one
sat me down to explain what I was getting into.
No one told me that marriage required improvement to my character. However, my love for my husband and his
family was motivation enough to rise to higher standards. And it’s been a blessing.
We have a God who desires to call us by
His name. He loves us with a deep love
that is incomprehensible. His love is
such that He chose the ultimate self-sacrifice to be unified with us, His bride.
Unlike the counseling I received before
marrying my husband, God explains to us exactly what we’re getting into when we
partner with Him. Deuteronomy chapter 28
goes to great lengths to spell out the benefits to taking the Lord’s name. It tells of His blessings in the city and the
field (vs 3), in finances and family (vs 4), in coming and going (vs 6), and
(my favorite) in basket and kneading bowl (vs 5)! He even defeats our enemies (vs 7). Now that is some list of pros!
In return God asks for a pure
heart. He created a list in Exodus 20
that includes His requirement to be first (vs 3). Stipulating that we desist in creating other
objects of devotion (vs 4). He necessitates
not taking His name flippantly (7). And
requests that we rest in His provision (vs 8).
We don’t fully understand these marital vows as long as we’re in a
single-person mindset.
Gratefully, marriage has taught me a
greater understanding of what God is desiring of me and what He offers. Taking
the Musgrove name, I no longer seek out other men for love, only looking to my
husband. I do not keep photos of my old
boyfriends around. I am committed to
this one man. To continue to behave as
single while bearing the name Musgrove would be to dishonor my marriage and my
spouse.
To take the Lord’s name, to be His, is
a gift. It frees us from the search for
identity. There’s no longer a need to
strive for purpose and meaning because we take on God’s family business. He provides, we accept. Our character matures within the relationship. Sole proprietorship becomes partnership. Lone becomes family.
Our Creator makes a sweet offer I
recommend you accept. Saying yes
to God’s proposal will change you completely, requiring a steep learning curve,
but having the Lord’s name will bless you beyond anything you can be alone!
Author
Bio:
Sharon has
been writing and teaching biblically based curriculum, Bible studies, and
devotionals since 2007.
She has
had the unique position of writing curriculum and teaching for two private,
Christ-based, residential recovery programs. Both programs primarily served
women in the homeless community.
Sharon has
traveled multiple times to Kenya, serving on medical teams and teaching in the
rural Maasai communities. She’s been privileged to speak in Leadership camps intended
on encouraging and empowering the impoverished, underprivileged, and often
abused young women.
Within
these ministries, Sharon has witnessed the transformative power of loving words
spoken to the broken-hearted. Sharing God’s love and witnessing its
transformative power has become her passion.
Sharon and
her husband, divide their time between Oregon and Hawaii. They have two grown
children.
Currently,
Sharon is encouraging others via her inspirational blog, but prefers sharing
face to face. Additionally, she is working towards a degree in Ministry.
~*~
Connect
with Sharon:
Website: Sharonmusgrove.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/Sharon-Musgrove-Untethered-102208978041060
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sharonmusgrove_untethered/
