When I was growing up, my father and his brother frequently corresponded with each other by letter. Each signed off with “I am.” My father would pen, “I am your loving brother, Horace.”
Who are you? If you were to summarize in one simple sentence who you are, what would you say?
When I was born, it was traditional to name babies after family members. My parents followed this in naming me Louise for my grandmother. However, they made that my middle name.
They made my first name Carolyn. No one else on either side of the family was called Carolyn. They said they just liked the name and felt that was who I was.
Many years later I discovered Carolyn means “song of joy.” When I asked God about it, He smiled and said, “Yes, that is who I created you to be.”
When I became frustrated or depressed, I felt His Gentle Reminder. “Who are you?” He would ask.
Even though I did not necessarily feel it, I would repeat, “I am a song of joy.”
He smiled. “That’s right. We are in a marriage — you and I. In this marriage, you put My Name first.
I AM.
Then you say what I created you to be.
My Song of Joy.
If you believe it, and practice it in your life, you will fulfill the purpose for which I brought you into this world.”
And so I sing for the Joy He gave me. I sing His Song He sang over me at my birth when He directed my parents to call me Carolyn.
And as a bonus, God gave our family the name Priester, a reminder that with all He has called, we are “a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that we may declare the praises of Him Who called us out of darkness into His Wonderful Light.”
1 Peter 2:9
What is your name? It may be the one your parents chose when you were born … or it may be a name God has given you that you have not discovered yet.
If you do not know, ask Him. And then live up to your name with Him!
But now, listen to the Lord Who created you. The One Who formed you says, “Do not be afraid, for I have redeemed you. I have called you by name; you are Mine!”
Isaiah 43:1
For the Lord your God is living among you. He is a Mighty Savior. He will take delight in you with gladness. With His Love, He will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs!
Zephaniah 3:17
