What's in a Name?

I had a conversation the other day about the meaning of our names and how every time someone says our name they are speaking the meaning of it into our lives. I completely believe that we are speaking destiny into our children's lives when we choose their names. I also believe that God has a purpose for us and the meaning of our names is a part of it. I hadn't ever thought about it, but it makes complete sense to me that when my name is called it is saying I am who my name says that I am.

Yes, I realize so many of you theologians are arguing that we are who God says we are. I get it and of course it is profoundly true. At the same time I still believe our names are a HUGE part of our identity and we can choose to live in it or not. Now if you have a terrible name that means bitter or something just as bad, does this mean you have to walk in this? No, but it does mean it is probably attached to you since it's been spoken over you and you need to pray against it. Possibly ask God to give you a new name. He did it all the time in the Bible; changing a poor meaning name into a brilliant, God divine name.

I also just had a conversation with a friend about how even our middle names speak into our lives. I have never thought about that nor have I ever looked it up, until today. I will tell you what it means just now. It's interesting how this name means something and is a part of our identity too, even though it is rarely said, just because it was given to us.

So what does my name mean? Emily is German (perfect since my family is German) and means Industrious One (diligent, hard-working, busy, productive, skillful, clever). The spiritual definition is Diligent Worker (same as other with attentive, cautious, meticulous, thorough, persistant/persevering). The scripture attached is Matthew 5:16 - Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. The verse before (15) says do not put your light under a basket, but on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house.

My middle name is Donnelle. Surprisingly, it was in the dictionary. It is Irish and means Brave (courageous, bold, daring, fearless, heroic, warrior) and the spiritual definition Vigilant means (watchful, attentive, alert, observant, cautious, headful, aware). The verse is 1 Corinthians 16:13 - Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong. The next verse (14) says let all you do be done in love, which I think is extremely important for me to remember.

I believe that I live in my name, as well as the scripture attached; at least most of the time. The interesting thing is that I discovered as I looked up the meanings, what each antonym is as well. For industrious it is lazy (lethargic, laid back, apathetic), diligent is the same and includes (idle), brave is cowardly (weak, timid, fearful) and vigilant is oblivious (unaware, unmindful, ignorant).

I may even find this more interesting than the origional meanings. For all of these antonyms are the things that I struggle with the most. Everytime I stop living in my spirit and let my flesh mostly take over I find these issues popping up. How clever that the enemy would know us so well that he even knows who we are meant to be by our given name and will fight us in the areas that take away the signigicance (value, worth) of who we are called to be.

Now that I know this, the next time that I find myself feeling antonymously (in opposition of my name) I am going to speak out my name and claim it's meaning. Saying that I know full well who I am and I choose to live in the personality that God has chosen to give me.