Saturday, March 28, 2009

The Comfort Zone


Chris and I would like you to meet our new grandson, Rance D Weaver. He is the son of Ryan and Amanda, & the brother of Ryland Von. His middle name is D, with no period and no ee's. Even though he is in Maryland, you might notice that he is dreaming about Texas and the time he will spend with Pops and Lolly.

So what about his name? What is the big deal with names? By the way, the name Rance means "shield and defender." Names symbolize who we are and what we represent. There is nothing more special, nothing that will stop you more quickly in your tracks, than hearing someone say YOUR name. During our lives, we become comfortable, or get used to, hearing our names.

So, who are you?
We spend most of our lives answering this question. Our name represents who we are, but it is another journey entirely, to get comfortable and secure with who we really are.
At the end of Romans there is one verse that is simple, but profound.

22 I, Tertius, who wrote this epistle, greet you in the Lord. Romans 16:22 (NKJV)

I am astonished by this short, simple verse. Tetrius was the scribe for Paul in writing the book of Romans and he sends a "shout out" to other believers. This one verse is all we know of this man, but I sense that he is very secure in himself, as he sends out a short greeting to the church to which Paul was writing. So what prevents us from having this security?

I think that the biggest obstacle we have to overcome is "others." We worry about what others think of us and what we look like in the eyes of others. This concern can infiltrate all areas of our lives - our occupations, our vehicles, our houses, our clothes, and even our religion. We should focus on ourselves, who we are on the inside and who we believe ourselves to be, rather than being preoccupied with others' notions of us. There is another Bible story that helps us realize this truth. Jesus is with His disciples, after the resurrection, and he reveals to Peter how the twilight years of his life will be. Instead of standing there, amazed at what Jesus has just told him about his own future, he is immediately concerned about John's years ahead. Why?

21 Peter, seeing him, said to Jesus, "But Lord, what about this man?" 22 Jesus said to him, "If I will that he remain till I come, what is that to you? You follow Me." John 21:21-22(NKJV)

Jesus is saying, don't worry about others. Don't look around you! Be comfortable with yourself, secure in who you are and the life God has prepared for you. I wonder how many seconds, minutes, days, months, or even years I have wasted by worrying about others, what they think of me, or what their lives hold for them?


This day I choose, just to follow, with my eyes on Him!

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

Can't wait to introduce you to Rance! Thanks for being an amazing Pops to my boys.

I Love You, Dad!!!

.:rweaver:. said...

There is much truth in I have never forgotten that G-G chose my first name after I was born... and that my parents affirmed that "Ryan" was a perfect fit. I remember hearing the story... and then asking for it to be repeated to me throughout my childhood and teenage years. I even recently asked G-G to tell me the story again... and I'm now 28 years old! (haha)

I especially love that I was given the middle name of my father and my grandfather... and that I was blessed to be able to pass that legacy along to my first-born son, Ryland Von.

Our names are important. They are interconnected with our identity.

I love the NIV translation of Isaiah 49:16 which says... "See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands." God knows my name... and He has chosen to tattoo it on his hands (some translate this verse as palms and others as the much more visible back of His hands).

I also love to see when God encounters someone in Scripture... and CHANGES their name (see Abraham, Sarah, Israel, and Peter). And I love it when Paul changes HIS OWN name after encountering God.

Rob Bell says it this way in his book "Velvet Elvis":
"God makes us in his image. We reflect the beauty and creativity and wonder of the God who made us. And Jesus calls us to return to our true selves. The pure, whole people God originally intended us to be, before we veered off course. Somewhere in you is the you whom you were made to be. We need you to be you. We don't need a second anybody. We need the first you."

I have no doubt this is Truth. I have no doubt that I was created with a name that was originally intended to reflect the me that God originally created.

There is meaning in a name...
There is hope in a name...
There is a story in a name...

.:rweaver:. said...

**There is much truth in your words...


(that completes my thought in the first sentence before I got all ADD and moved on... haha)

Kevin said...

Thanks Amanda, I cannot wait to hold Rance and hear Ryland talk my ears off! You are a great Mom.

Ryan Von, you have a powerful way with words. You are a wonderful father and God has entrusted you with two children to pass the torch. Hold Fast! Kevin Von

mellow thoughts said...

Proverbs 23:24
The father of a righteous man has great joy;
he who has a wise son delights in him

Ya'll are an awesome father and son combo