The final part of my name, Elizabeth, my middle name, means 'consecrated to God'. This meaning is kinda cool, particularly as I'm a Christian.
Elizabeth in the Bible was the mother of John the Baptist, the man who prepared the way for the King of Kings, Jesus Christ Himself. Elizabeth was a devout woman, but her and her husband were childless. Then an angel rocks up from out of the blue and tells her husband his wife is going to conceive and give birth to a son. Despite his devoutness, he doubts God and is promptly rendered unable to speak until the baby's birth.
But it is actually Elizabeth herself who is personally an inspiration and an encouragement to me. What her story says to me is that no matter what your situation, God can turn it around in an instant. Regardless of the unlikeliness or even physical impossibilities, He's over and above everything and can bring a miracle as easy and natural as breathing. Elizabeth was waaaaaaaaaay past child-bearing age, but that was no obstacle to God. God's miracle-working power is omnipotent.
So when I add together all the meanings of my name, I have 'Liberty, purity and consecration to God'. These are totally amazing, wonderful names that God selected for me, speaking over my life the fantastic destiny and vision and purpose that He conceived for me before the beginning. I want to live out fully the meaning of my names, in Him, for all the years I am here on Earth. I am so thankful for God's plans and thoughts and for the names He chose for me.
Thursday, 14 January 2010
Monday, 16 November 2009
Called by name (part two)
I don't actually know why my parents named me the name they did, apart from them thinking it "sounded nice". For a long time, I didn't actually like my full first name, thinking it was too long and daggy and insisting on being called by the shortened version. For years I didn't even think about what my given name actually meant.
My given name is the Anglicised version of the original Greek, and it means 'pure'. I remember thinking when I first found out "that's pretty cool" but didn't think much about it beyond that. It was around this time that, with the encouragement of a friend, I began to love the original, longer version of my name and began to refer to myself again by the name that I was given as a baby.
It was only when I started living in Japan for the second time, in 2005, that I began to realise that the name my parents chose for me was no accident, but was actually a result of the Holy Spirit whispering to my Christian father's heart. For God's destiny for my life is to be a light in Japan, to shine out God's holiness to those around me who are desparately searching for something good, something real, something worthwhile, something PURE.
And that is what I am called to be, pure and holy, because HE is holy (1 Peter 1:16). God inspired my parents to name me in accordance with what He aspires me to be. Of course, it is impossible for me to fulfill this command in my own strength, being human, flawed and imperfect. Many (many, many) times I have fallen short, FAR short, particularly when I try to do things my way instead of listening and following God's direction.
But God is gracious, He is forgiving, He RESTORES, even purity, through the perfect, sacrificial blood of His Son Jesus. So I am not discouraged, but instead continue to rely on Him, call on Him to give me His joy, strength, power and love so that I can strive to become pure and holy, more like Jesus, and in so doing, hold out His hope and promise of salvation and a victorious, purpose-filled, world-changing life to all those who call on His name.
My given name is the Anglicised version of the original Greek, and it means 'pure'. I remember thinking when I first found out "that's pretty cool" but didn't think much about it beyond that. It was around this time that, with the encouragement of a friend, I began to love the original, longer version of my name and began to refer to myself again by the name that I was given as a baby.
It was only when I started living in Japan for the second time, in 2005, that I began to realise that the name my parents chose for me was no accident, but was actually a result of the Holy Spirit whispering to my Christian father's heart. For God's destiny for my life is to be a light in Japan, to shine out God's holiness to those around me who are desparately searching for something good, something real, something worthwhile, something PURE.
And that is what I am called to be, pure and holy, because HE is holy (1 Peter 1:16). God inspired my parents to name me in accordance with what He aspires me to be. Of course, it is impossible for me to fulfill this command in my own strength, being human, flawed and imperfect. Many (many, many) times I have fallen short, FAR short, particularly when I try to do things my way instead of listening and following God's direction.
But God is gracious, He is forgiving, He RESTORES, even purity, through the perfect, sacrificial blood of His Son Jesus. So I am not discouraged, but instead continue to rely on Him, call on Him to give me His joy, strength, power and love so that I can strive to become pure and holy, more like Jesus, and in so doing, hold out His hope and promise of salvation and a victorious, purpose-filled, world-changing life to all those who call on His name.
Called by name (Part one)
What's in a name? Parents spend time and energy choosing just the right name for their baby, but is this simply a matter of picking something that sounds nice and has a good meaning, or is their something more?
In the Bible, a person's name could define their identity and their destiny. When Jacob (which means 'deceiver') wrestled with God (Genesis 32:22-28), God gave him a new name - Israel - and and a new, world-changing destiny.
I've always been proud of my family name. Of Scottish heritage from way, way back, my family name is one that is associated with Scotland's greatest hero and patriot, Sir William Wallace, whose struggle against the English to win freedom for his country was portrayed in the Oscar-winning film Braveheart.
It was only recently that God revealed to me that the family name I have, though not chosen by me, is no accident. Instead, God had prepared since before the start of time for me to have this name, because this name speaks His destiny for my life over me.
The motto of the Wallace clan is "For Liberty" and the clan tartan is a beautiful, rich red. How does this tie in with who I am and what my destiny is?
Well, it just so happens that red is my favourite colour. Red is the colour of life, the colour of celebration - and the colour of blood, of sacrifice. Jesus' sacrifice, the shedding of His blood on the cross, brought complete freedom from sin and life for all eternity to anyone who calls on His name.
And it is Jesus who called me to Japan to play a part in bringing His freedom to the nation of Japan. Preferably while wearing lots of red :)
I think it is amazing how God was speaking destiny over my life years before I was even born.
FOR LIBERTY - FOR FREEDOM - FOR GOD'S FREEDOM
Thursday, 5 November 2009
Shout out
Just wanted to give a quick shout-out to my fellow Jesus Lifehouse member, blogger, Aussie and friend, Tyson, who mentioned Destynation Japan in the latest post on his own blog, Memoirs of another kind (http://memoirsofanotherkind-tysong.blogspot.com) about his life in Japan. Tyson is a prolific blogger (he has three), enthusiastic Beyonce fan and krumper. He has a lot to say (writing is catharsis for him), so go have a read when you have time (his posts are looooooooong, so you'll need more than a few minutes).
Wednesday, 4 November 2009
Living with Vision
Tonight, I went to 'Big Wednesday', the mid-week service held by my church, Jesus Lifehouse International Church. Our senior pastor, Pastor Rod, talked about vision, a quality that is essential for all leaders. No-one follows a leader who has no vision for where they are heading. The Bible says that without vision, the people perish (Proverbs 29:18), or in other words, without a vision, people lose their destiny because they live without direction or restraint. But WITH vision, people live motivated, focused, influential lives. I don't know whether you have a vision for your life, but know that for me it has been so important to have a vision for where I am going, and to be part of a fantastic church to which I can link that vision and work together with other members of my Christian family to see my, our, the church's and GOD's vision realised in Japan.
So many of the people I most admire and who most inspire me have been visionaries, living for something greater than themselves, focussed on others and driven to make a positive difference in the world. People like Martin Luther King Jr., Mother Theresa, William Wilberforce. These people dreamt big, impossible dreams, but because they had a vision and held on to it in times of challenge and hardship, they were able to overcome and make a huge, lasting impact in the lives of millions.
In my case, God gave me a vision of Japan many years ago. When He dropped the idea of Japan into my mind, I had no connection with Japan whatsoever - I had never been to Japan, had no Japanese friends and had no particular interest in Japan at all. I hadn't even been overseas, and thought that the USA would be the first country I would visit. It was literally a case of waking up one morning during my initial university days and suddenly thinking "I'm really interested in going to Japan". At the time, I didn't understand the why, I just knew that I needed to go. But now, 15 years later, I finally realise that it was God planting a vision. I am so grateful that He has given me a vision and a passion for Japan, both of which continue to drive me forward in tough times. I don't know all the specifics of the vision for my life, but I know that it is greater than and outside myself and therefore is going to be seeing positive change in others' lives, as well as being the best, most fulfilling life I can live.
So many of the people I most admire and who most inspire me have been visionaries, living for something greater than themselves, focussed on others and driven to make a positive difference in the world. People like Martin Luther King Jr., Mother Theresa, William Wilberforce. These people dreamt big, impossible dreams, but because they had a vision and held on to it in times of challenge and hardship, they were able to overcome and make a huge, lasting impact in the lives of millions.
In my case, God gave me a vision of Japan many years ago. When He dropped the idea of Japan into my mind, I had no connection with Japan whatsoever - I had never been to Japan, had no Japanese friends and had no particular interest in Japan at all. I hadn't even been overseas, and thought that the USA would be the first country I would visit. It was literally a case of waking up one morning during my initial university days and suddenly thinking "I'm really interested in going to Japan". At the time, I didn't understand the why, I just knew that I needed to go. But now, 15 years later, I finally realise that it was God planting a vision. I am so grateful that He has given me a vision and a passion for Japan, both of which continue to drive me forward in tough times. I don't know all the specifics of the vision for my life, but I know that it is greater than and outside myself and therefore is going to be seeing positive change in others' lives, as well as being the best, most fulfilling life I can live.
Tuesday, 27 October 2009
Japan - nation of destiny
Japan has drawn people to its shores for centuries, alluring with its culture, traditions and natural beauty. In the modern age, juxtaposed technology, pop culture and innovation have brought a whole new dimension to a country that remains both remarkable and an enigma.
Some have opined that Japan's best days are behind, but I would suggest such observers are using the wrong yardstick . I believe a nation's success should not be judged on the basis of economics, political clout or even cultural pervasiveness, but rather by the spiritual depth and eternal influence of its people. By that measure, Japan's best days are yet to come. And they are going to be mind-blowingly good.
Destynation Japan will explore the facets of this journey from the perspective of someone who is passionate about this nation and believes they have been called by God to make a positive, lasting difference in and through this country. As I post about my experiences, thoughts and analyses, I welcome your feedback and comments.
宜しくお願いします．
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