What's in a name?

When I was 30 years old, I changed my name. I've always been "Julie Marie"... I just haven't always been a "Jobryce". In fact, I made that name up. I'm the only one; I'm uniquely me. :)

People often ask me why I changed my name and I have a number of reasons that I won't go into here. Let's suffice it to say that I've always believed that your name said a lot about who you are... in more ways than one it is your identity. My last name, Jobryce, is reflective of my family - two brothers: Joe & Bruce. That's one of the many ways we are identified: family.

Today I was reminded of this again and the thought that came to mind is this: My identity is found in Christ alone. God says in Isaiah 43:1, "I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine."

Revelation 2:17 tells of a day in heaven when we will be given a "white stone with a new name written on it, known only to the one who receives it." I've always imagined that God has a special name for each of us... In my mind it's a bit like Pa calling Laura "Half Pint" in Little House on the Prairie. There are a lot of people named "Julie" in the world... but I have another name that is mine alone and only my Heavenly Father knows it. How exciting it will be to know that name... It is carved on a white stone just for me.

My Inheritance

This morning in church, our scripture passage was Psalm 47:

Clap your hands, all you nations;
    shout to God with cries of joy.

For the Lord Most High is awesome,
    the great King over all the earth.

He subdued nations under us,
    peoples under our feet.

He chose our inheritance for us,
    the pride of Jacob, whom he loved.

God has ascended amid shouts of joy,
    the Lord amid the sounding of trumpets.

Sing praises to God, sing praises;
    sing praises to our King, sing praises.

For God is the King of all the earth;
    sing to him a psalm of praise.

God reigns over the nations;
    God is seated on his holy throne.

The nobles of the nations assemble
    as the people of the God of Abraham,
for the kings of the earth belong to God;
    he is greatly exalted.

While our guest speaker made a number of great points, the thing that jumped out to me was his question, "Are you happy with the inheritance that God has chosen for you?" I have to say that being able to say a loud "yes!" to that question was an amazing thing for me.

I've spent a lot of my life wandering aimlessly, trying to figure out where I belonged in this world. It took a long time for me to reach the point where I could look at my life and say, "Wow. THIS is what God created me for... it's how He designed me and how He wants to use the experiences I've had in life."

Looking back on my life, I have discovered one important flaw in my wanderings... I was looking for where I belonged in this world; the fact is, I don't belong here. My home is in heaven, therefore, I am never going to find the answer to that question. The better question is this: "Father, while I'm here on earth, what is my assignment? How can I best serve You and honor your name?" While I am certain that there are many more answers to that question that I haven't yet discovered, I am thankful for a Heavenly Father who has chosen a good inheritance for me. He gives the greatest gifts and I'm blessed.

Brokenness, Joy & Sorrow

You have walked this journey with me for many years.
You have given me a place to call home when I was homeless.
You have encouraged me when I've faced disappointment.
You have cried with me when I will filled with sorrow.
You have applied a healing balm to my many hurts.
You have accepted me for who I am, even when I am "ugly".
You have been Jesus with skin on so many times....
You were my first real glimpse of Who He Is.

I have finally found a joyful place in my journey.
I have found a place to call home while in this world.
I have overcome disappointments and fulfilled dreams.
I have found the joy that overcomes my sorrows.
I have experienced healing in many broken places.
I have learned to be less "ugly" and be more kind.
I have come to know Jesus dwelling in me in new and powerful ways.
I have done all these things because you have been my advocate.

And, in the midst of all this joy I have found there is sorrow.
Sorrow that you are a prisoner in your own home.
Sorrow over your disappointments and shattered dreams.
Sorrow that it is beyond my ability to help you find joy.
Sorrow over the brokenness of your life that I cannot heal.
Sorrow that only the "ugliness" of this world is real to you.
Sorrow that when I want to be Jesus with skin on for you,
I cannot. A door that only He can open is in the way.

So I pray for a miracle. Wait for a sign.
And I promise God that I would give up
everything that I have gained
Just to know that you've found His Joy.

Mourning

Is it wrong that I cannot (will not)
mourn the death of my friend
who has entered into God's Holy rest?
Much more so, I mourn for those who
are still breathing earth's oxygen
yet they have no will to live.
I mourn those who are held
captive to their sorrows and
pains of their past.
How difficult it must be
to live days without hope or joy,
to trudge through life
feeling unlovely and unloved.
Yes, I will grieve, but not for
those alive in Christ.
I will grieve for those who are
yet alive and don't know it.

Sound verses silence

One of the terrific lessons I've learned from my friend, Virginia, is to slow down!  Putting it in musical terms, I'm trying to be more adagio  (A tempo having slow movement; restful at ease.) and less allegro (A direction to play lively and fast.) I like this from Eric Starr as he talks about the use of rest notes in music: 

As a composer, you'll want to think about “sound versus silence.” Finding just the right balance is essential. In the end, this means knowing how to use rests effectively. There is nothing worse than music that sounds “busy” or “cluttered.” If you try to create dense music, it will probably sound chaotic and muddy. Instead, strive to craft natural, flowing music using the fewest notes.

Throw the word "life" in that paragraph everywhere that you see the word "music" and read it again. The question is how are we composing our lives? Are we "using rest effectively" or are we "chaotic and muddy"? 

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” ~Matthew 11:23-30

Do not let your hearts be troubled...

So many things have been on my heart and mind that I thought I'd spill them out here so I can clear room for other things... so here's what I'm thinking about today:

Many of you know that my friend, Virginia, is in her final days on this earth. I consider Virginia to be a dear friend. God has taught me so much about Himself through my friendship with Virginia. At the same time, I also know that Virginia is ready to meet her Savior. She has lived a great life and had an amazing ministry. I am ready for her to hear Jesus say "well done, faithful servant, enter into my rest." When I visit her, I imagine that her mind and heart are with Jesus, but her body still lingers. I pray often for her to be set free from a broken body that holds her captive... freedom that will allow her to once again play the piano for God's glory and honor.

Just this morning, I was reflecting on my relationship with Virginia and asking myself why I continue to visit her daily, even though I am convinced that she doesn't really know that I'm there. I came up with these reasons:
1) I want Carol, who is Virginia's best friend, to know that she is not alone in her love and care for this precious woman. I want to speak words of encouragement and compassion to Carol and others who come to visit.... Caring for the caregiver, I guess.
2) God keeps teaching me something new about Him when I visit Virginia. I sit and read scripture and it's amazing how differently I see it when I consider His Word in the presence of one who is about to leave this world and enter His presence! It was encouraging this past week when I read a devotional on John 14:1-3 - "“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God^, believe also in me.  My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am." --- It was noted that JESUS HIMSELF will come to take us to where He is..... He's not sending an angel to do it. He's making the trip to get each of us Himself. I love that... I imagine Jesus coming to get Virginia and take her home to the place He has prepared especially for her.. no doubt, it has the grandest of grand pianos. :)
3) Virginia's ministry still continues and I love to hear the stories. CNA's who cared for her at Wesley Village are coming to visit because she has made a difference in their lives. A CNA from the floor where she spent her first 5 days at St. Joe's after her stroke has come to the hospice floor to visit. In those 5 short days, Virginia developed a relationship with that young lady. She came to tell Miss Virginia that she and her husband had started going to church together again..... God is allowing me the privilege of seeing just a few bites of the fruit of Virginia's labors for Him.

Certainly, my heart has been heavy in recent days, but Virginia's pending home-going in not a source of sorrow, but of joy. My greater sorrows are for my young friends who may be in grave danger... and for my best friend, who has isolated herself from those who love her most... and I fear may have a clouded view of who she is in God's eyes.

Sorrow struck me yesterday when I saw a video that ridiculed "stupid criminals" who were the butt of a media joke because they got stuck in the mud making their getaway. One of the two young men wept openly at his situation as he realized that this newest strike on his record was sending him down a path he didn't want to travel... and I wept too because I wanted to know where the people were who should have been helping him to know that there were better choices available for him... that he, too, has a Savior who has redeemed his life, but  is anyone telling this young man that truth? Sorrow struck me as I watch a few moments (that's all I could take) of a show on TV that featured homes that were outrageously extravagant.... a bathroom where just the tiles cost over $100,000 dollars... I had to walk away and weep because I couldn't imagine how God must feel when His children are homeless, helpless and hungry in the midst of all this.

If I were a superhero, my super human strength this week would be "hyper sensitivity" ... I read news stories and witness things myself that are devastating. And all I know how to do is cry and pray. And I want to do more than that... I want to be an answer to the prayers I lift. I want to do a better job of being sensitive to God's voice when He invites me into the things He's doing. I want to stop and share words of comfort with the man in the hallway at the hospital who is clearly distraught over the condition of his loved one... instead of looking away so as not to embarrass him in the midst of his own sorrows. I want to do more, not because it earns me a merit badge, but because it's what will bring honor to my Father in Heaven.

So that, in a rather large nutshell, is what is on my heart today. How about you? Can I help to carry your burden to the throne of Jesus?