Rebekah

It has just been over a year since I packed up the U-Haul and moved to San Diego. Typically, Labor Day weekend is spent with family...usually all together in Packwood relaxing, playing games, golfing and eating way too much junk food. This year I find myself rising early and spending time with the Lord. Moving to a new city has been fun and adventurous, but at times it is also lonely and uncomfortable. Strong friendships are so valuable. Community is essential. We are not meant to live this life alone, but with one another; sharing    each others' joys and burdens.

Being away from family and friends encouraged me to draw nearer to God. As I opened my Bible this morning, in an effort to learn more about who God is and who He desires me to be. I fell upon a bookmark that one of my high school teachers made and gave to each of his senior students around the end of the school year. It has my name, Rebekah, its meaning, "devoted one" and a verse, Psalm 73:28,

I decided to read the entire chapter and verses 23-26 spoke right into my heart today as well.

"Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand.

You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory.

Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you.

My flesh and my heart may fail,

 but God is the strength of my hear and my portion forever.

This past year God has shown himself faithful over and over again. It is a continual joy in my life to be able to look back and see God leading and guiding, preparing me for new adventures and challenges, while shaping me into a woman that more than anything desires to seek after Him. While it is a struggle to keep my mind and heart constantly set on Christ and the race he has marked out for me, I know that it is becoming the deepest desire of my heart. when I seem to fail or stumble, I can get right back up and set my eyes back on Him because of his strength, not my own. I desire to live up to my name...devoted one...that nothing would come between me and my God and that my life would be a powerful testimony of his great works.

What does your name mean? I have found a source of strength and identity in the meaning of mine, perhaps God will use yours to speak truth and power into your life as well.

Happy Labor Day weekend!