For when no one knows your name

a letter for when no one knows your name

Dear one,

Today I’ve been thinking about you. I am thinking about you as you share your voice, your influence, your God-given gifts with the world. Some people just don’t listen to what you are saying, but you are brave and writing it and speaking it any way. The reason why I am thinking about you because today I’ve been pondering the influence of a great name.

For example, Tullian Tchividjian is one of my favorite pastors. He has a long and complicated name. He gets some clout – some weight behind his introduction because somebody can say, “He’s the grandson of Billy Graham.” He could be the grandson of Kalamazoo and Timbuktoo, but who knows anything about them? But to say here is Tullian Tchividjian, pastor of a church in Florida, grandson of the great Billy Graham automatically gives him authority and strength and magnifies His message as a pastor even though he stands on his own.

Most great names come out of nowhere – rising only from the days of small beginnings. I wonder if Tullian would have risen from the ashes as quickly without being Billy Graham’s grandson? Because I think he is great, I say yes.

However, when it is all said and done most people only give accolades to those who have great names or those or are backed by someone else with a great name. I think about a woman of influence I know, and she is always hesitant to read those no-namers.

(I’m sorry if that’s you – it’s me too. Or is it?)

Are you part of the Kingdom? Are you a child of God? Do you follow Jesus? Then you, dear one, are backed by a great name – the mightiest of all. And there is nothing anyone can say or do that changes that.

You are a writer for the magnificent God. You speak the words of Truth. You pour out Grace and radiate Light. You are championed by the Great I Am. Go forth and shine your light. Let your name continue to slip away and His be magnified.

In His power and His grace, He will be glorified. His name will be renown. Let your audience be Him alone. As you learn to magnify the King, I have a feeling your name will be known too. But if you ever get excited about that glory, that fame, your renown, I’m afraid you won’t be backed by His name anymore, and what’s more important – to be known or to give glory? If God is for you, who can be against you? But if God is not for you, who cannot be against you?

Maybe you can give glory and be known by Him too. He’s all-seeing, never-failing, Great, like that. So keep going, dear one. Keep proclaiming His message. Keep singing under His authority, making His name greater.

Love,

Another Child of Yahweh

Photo Credit: Alex Bellink