If we had a girl, we agreed that we would name her Deborah.
The reason for that name was the favourable impression I got from her namesake in scripture.
Here was a woman who could speak as a mouthpiece for God. Here was a woman who had the character to judge a nation. A nation oppressed by the enemy because of their faithlessness, but Deborah’s oversight of the country was one that brought God back into the centre of things.
Here was Deborah, who was clear on what God had told her to instruct to others and was not desirous of any of the credit because it should all go to God. Yet when she was asked to join the troops in following God’s instructions, she did so without reservation only highlighting that it was a man’s lack of faith in God that would mean that the credit for the final killing blow would go to someone else.
It was Deborah too who penned an outstanding tribute to the work of God in delivering His people from the oppression. As a result of Deborah’s focus on God and wise leadership, the victory that the people celebrated, the land experienced peace for 40 years.
When I think about Deborah, I think about a creative. I think about a wise judge. I think about an astute woman who can decide the pat to take whatever the circumstances due to her sensitivity to the leading of God.
The beauty in a name is what comes with it, what it can characterise because of key people who attached their life to that name. There may well be famous women called Deborah down the years of history, but the woman I go to when I hear the name is this judge, this strategist, this communicator, this creative.
We named our firstborn for that reason confident that whatever she did in life, the name would trigger nothing but blessing s and beautiful thoughts. There is, though, that hope that our firstborn will likewise evoke thoughts of beauty and blessing to others.
(Photo by Sandra Seitamaa on Unsplash)
For His Name’s Sake
Shalom
C. L. J. Dryden
Life With CD 