What's Behind a Name? (4/10/2011)

After a recap from the name study we've been doing (Adam, Eve, Gideon), we launched right into some more good information on what's behind the names we've taken on and are living under.

First, it's important to distinguish that my name is who I am. When someone talks about my friend, Sarah, I don't think about the name Sarah and how it's spelled and what it means. I think about all the characteristics of my friend Sarah. I think about WHO she is, not what her name is. Her name is who she is.

So, if my name is who I am, and I start living under the wrong name, I start living out of a false identity. I am not acting under my God-given name, so of course, my actions won't match up. Living under the wrong name creates a separation or gap between me and God and between me and others because it isn't really me relating to God and others.

That gap creates:

• Loneliness
• Insecurity
• Lack of Value
• Inner Turmoil

The loneliness I feel from living under the wrong name comes because I fear that no one really knows me. And then I start to think, "what if they really did know me? what would they think then?" And then I realize that I don't even really know myself. How can someone actually get to know me if I don't even know who I am?

My actions under the wrong name will inevitably be destructive to me or to those around me.

Discussion:
Have you processed names this week?
What have you wrestled with as you considered it?
What impact has it had on you?

The Mystery Behind the Mystery

Parker Palmer, in A Hidden Wholeness, offers an example of a river frozen over to help us identify those places where we are not aware of or living out of our true name.

If you've ever lived near a lake, you know that when one part of the lake is frozen thick enough that it's safe, the whole lake is safe. A river, however, is different. A river has currents running underneath the ice so that you can't see what parts are thin and what parts are safe. Venture out onto a river, and there's a good chance you'll find a thin place where there's a current underneath. (I wouldn't try it if I were you!)

These thin and safe places are a good example of our interactions throughout life. Sometimes, we're tread on, and everything is all right. But if someone or something comes too close to one of our currents, our ice breaks!

It's these thin places where we need to examine ourselves and find out what's making us react, what name are we living under in the times when we break? Why aren't we living out of our God-given name? These are places where we need wholeness in our lives. God created us for wholeness. And since everything got messed up in the fall, God is trying to restore us to that wholeness. Recognizing these thin places will help us on our journey back.

The Divide

Living with two selves:

• the self we want people to see and know
• and the self we know lives inside (and many times needs some healing and restoration to wholeness)

creates a divide in us and we are continually at war with our selves, which creates an uncomfortable inner turmoil.

What's Controlling You?

Remember this one?

Ephesians 5:18

Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit.

Probably most of us heard this as a commandment to not drink any alcohol! But what this verse is really getting it, is that it's not good to be controlled by factors or voices other than God.

These controlling forces make us behave in a reaction to them instead of for genuine, good reasons. Identify the name of the voice that's screaming at you; identify the factors you are letting control your actions and reactions. And remember that the journey towards wholeness is a process of re-thinking.

Discussion
Can you identify some of the controlling voices in your life?
Do these voices parallel the names you have identified or can you give them a name?

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Sitting there wondering what the practical application is? No worries, here's some advice from Karl. But as he mentioned on Sunday, this is no prescription or 5 Step Plan to Complete Wholeness. However, these ideas might help you as you process and try to practice on your journey towards wholeness.

• Become aware your names.
• Continue to evaluate the extent of the influence your names have on you.
• Observe yourself to increase your awareness so that you can begin to identify when your actions are under the influence of the voice.
• Try to identify different kinds of names:
  • Voices of the past
    • Things done by you
    • Things done to you
  • Voices of Fear
  • Voices of Expectation
• Process it with someone who is safe.

Your journey towards wholeness is a process of discovering the factors that are controlling you and realizing that:

• You don’t have to be defined by the voices of accusation in your life.
• The controlling powers these voices hold over you can be broken.
• God’s voice will lead you to wholeness.