Monday, March 1, 2010

God's Name in Cursive

When Kayla and Jenna were little, we had a little sign on the refrigerator of the Ten Commandments.  We discussed them occasionally, and they learned them in Sunday school.  The 3rd commandment is "You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain."  I told the girls that meant not to say "oh my God" in anger or excitement , because that was not the proper use for His Name.  Kayla came home from school one day (she was probably kindergarten or first grade), and said "Mom I'm not going to be friends with so-and-so anymore."  I said "Why not?" And she said, "Because she said God's name in cursive!"  We still tease her about that to this day; it was the cutest thing!

I have since thought about this phrase quite a bit--taking "God's Name in vain".  And while I still believe that we should NOT say "oh my God" in anger, I also believe there is a much deeper meaning.  I am in NO WAY a theologian, so I'm sure there's some out there that could correct me; who would be able to say 'Well, actually, in the original text, this word meant this, not this.'  I completely understand that I could be off-base, but at the same time, God has used this verse to change my way of thinking in many areas, so how could that be a bad thing?!?!? :) 


When Mike and I got married, several things changed in my life.  I moved to a new home, (trailer-but it was our little love nest); I had a new family; I had a new ring to put beside my engagement ring; and most noticeably, I had a new name.  I was no longer Alicia Wilks, I was now known as Alicia Millikin.  I have to admit, I didn't think about it much at the time, other than to change it on some documents.  And of course, I practiced writing it millions of times, while dreaming of marrying my own prince charming!! But what an amazing, humbling gift to receive from someone--the honor of carrying their name.  Mike trusted me that day, and everyday since, to carry his name like I mean it.   If I had taken his name with absolutely no intention of living like a married woman, with no intention of giving up my single life, then I had wasted my time and his.  I would have taken his name in vain. 



When I was 16, I accepted an offer from God.  To believe in his Son, to enter into a relationship with Him. To be adopted by Him and receive His Name.  I now went by the title "Christian", like Christ.  God shared His Name with me.  If I had taken His Name that day, but had no intention of turning from my former life, had continued living in a life to please myself and not Him, then it would have been in vain.  God is very protective of His Name; the Bible lists several passages where God does great works to uphold His Name. For His Name's sake.   That He would share His Name with us is an unspeakable honor.
 

I hope over the last (almost) 22 years, I haven't given Mike or the Millikin family reason to regret that I share their name.  I pray that, although I have followed my own paths and will many times over the last 24 years, that I have not brought dishonor to God's Name; that I have not taken his name in vain. "He guides me in paths of righteousness for HIS Name's sake".  Psalm 23:3