I don't fish.  I grew up around Chicago, and for me, "fishing" meant going to the local supermarket and finding a box of fillet, breaded, deep-fried, and then frozen fish sticks.

 

A couple years ago, some men in my church took my son on a fishing trip.  Scott came home with a bucket of nasty, slimy, smelly fish.  Neither he nor his mother had any idea what to do with them, so one of the men deboned them, and filleted them.  He then taught me how to cook them.  I was quite amazed to discover that those fish were a huge improvement over my frozen food variety!

Jesus has called us to be "fishers of men."  So many in the church think that is a fine idea, as long as we can do my Chicago suburb style of fishing.  We go out into the world and find some already cleaned up, civilized people, get them saved, and then celebrate with a fish fry!

The problem is, fish - and sinners - are not clean, sweet-smelling creatures.  They are messy, smelly, and they tend to flop around a lot trying to get back into their comfort zone.  Fishing may seem like a relaxing hobby, but actually catching fish takes work and a strong stomach.

Going out into a world of sinners, where immorality is rampant, jokes are crude, language is offensive, and violence is the norm is not a comfortable endeavor.  But just like a typical fisherman doesn't see fish launching themselves into the boat so they can be taken home and fried up for supper, the church doesn't often see "sinners" breaking down the church doors to get inside.  

To the contrary, they seem to understand that they don't fit, and they feel unwanted.  It should not be that way.  If we are going to learn to be fishers of men, we need to accept that fish will be fish.  

We need to look beyond the filth of sin and see the person underneath it all.  That person is someone Jesus loves so much, He died so that He could spend all of eternity with him or her.  The temporary mess that goes with ministering to the lost is well worth a few moments of discomfort.

What's in a name?

Lately I have been thinking about what my name means.  The reason for this is a conversation I had not too long ago with my mother.  She asked, "I've told you the story about how you were born, right?"  Well...yes mom, you have.  I know the act of violence that led to my conception, I know how my father then tried to end my life by abusing you.  I've heard it before.

But I heard her say something new this time.  She has said it before, but for some reason it never sunk in until a few weeks ago.  She told me that she knew that there was something special about this baby she was carrying.  She wasn't a Christian yet, but still, she knew that God had a special purpose for that baby.  And on the way to the hospital for my birth, she said she told her mother, brother, and cab driver that the baby was a girl, her name was to be Sharon Ann, and all that mattered was that I be healthy.  She didn't know any of this until that moment in the cab.  It wasn't a name she chose, it was a name she just "knew" was right.

And for the first time I really heard the message of that story - I was named by God!  Surely this name must mean something!

So I did some research, and I admit, the results were a bit disappointing.  Sharon, according to most name dictionaries, means "A fruitful plain in Palestine."  Wow...I'm named after a nice piece of farmland.  Thrilling.  I extended my search, and discovered that Sharon is a derived from the Hebrew word "Sar" - to sing.  That is a bit better, I love music.  But I'm not a great singer, so as much as I like this idea, that can't be what God's reason was for giving me this name.

Another site said

"The name Sharon may have to do with the word  (shiryon 2466a), body armor, but why a plain would be named Body Armor is not clear. The coastal plain of Sharon was proverbial for beauty. Perhaps it reminded people of the shiny appearance of a soldier dressed up in full regalia.  The word above is a derivation of the untranslated root  (shrh 2463-2466), which lies very close to the untranslated but very attractive root (shrr 2469). This latter root yields the following derivations: (shor 2469a), umbilical cord,  (shera 2469b), bracelet, (sharir 2469c), sinew or muscle,  (sherirut 2469d), stubbornness. These verbally related items seem to be practically related by a general hardness or toughness, but that doesn't seem to be applicable to the Plain of Sharon right away. Perhaps an even deeper consistency lies in a general attachment; the umbilical cord, the sinew. Stubbornness may be stylized into a holding fast to "own counsel" (Jer 7:24), and both a bracelet and body armor are closely connected to the body. Perhaps the bracelet shows yet another form of attachment, namely between the wearer and the giver of it. Perhaps the Plain of Sharon was so beautiful that the inhabitants named it Attachment. That explanation would certainly connect to the bride of the Song, who deliberately identifies herself with a certain flower of Sharon."  

WikiAnswers says "Sharon is a name of Hebrew origin meaning " princess; the one who laughs" has a glowing personality, is contented with her life and one who inspires others to succeed."

The name Ann is a bit simpler.  It means "gracious, full of grace."  That name I like!

So let's see...I'm Sharon Ann - A singer (at least in my dreams!), a laughing princess with a glowing personality, reflecting the character of a beautiful, productive plain in Palestine.  I am to bring God's grace to people, and in doing so I will be fruitful.  I should be strong and stubborn as I do this.  I can't be distracted by the opinions and criticisms of others, I need to follow the leading of God's Spirit within my own heart.  If I have the interpretation right, this is a pretty good name!

In the Bible, God gave specific names to several people, and it always meant something important.  Isaac meant "He who laughs", a reminder of the doubt his parents had that caused them to laugh when the announcement of his imminent birth was made.  It also symbolized the joy he would bring his parents as that promise was fulfilled. 

Jacob's name was changed to Israel, meaning "He struggles with  God."  Jacob wrestled with God, demanding a blessing, before he met with his brother Esau.  He wouldn't give up.  Now an entire nation carries this name.

Zechariah was instructed to name his son John.  This name means "God is gracious."  This was a fitting name for the man who was to be the forerunner to Jesus.

Jesus changed his disciple Simon's name to Peter, meaning "rock."  Peter's faith in the fact that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, was to be a solid rock for building the church, a foundation that we all are building on, even now.

And Joseph was told to name Mary's baby Jesus, "The Lord is Salvation."  And He was to be called Emmanuel, meaning "God with us."  What a great name for a great Savior!

I know that not every child was specifically named by God.  My kids weren't, as special as they are.  We chose their names out of baby name books, looking for names that were attractive and sounded pleasing together.  I did look at the meaning of the chosen names.  Kristen means "Bearer of Christ."  Jocelyn means "lover of justice."  Those are pretty good concepts to name a child after.  But Scott means "tatooed one."  I certainly didn't name Scott with the hopes of him covering himself head to toe with tatoos!  I just liked how the name sounded.

But names given by God are special.  And there is a really exciting promise in the book of Revelation - as part of our salvation, God is going to give us new names, names that are meant just for us.  

"Anyone who is willing to hear should listen to the Spirit and understand what the Spirit is saying to the churches. Everyone who is victorious will eat of the manna that has been hidden away in heaven. And I will give to each one a white stone, and on the stone will be engraved a new name that no one knows except the one who receives it."

Re 2:17

There is hope in the name I have now, and I'm just learning what that hope means.  But this is exciting!  Someday, my Savior is going to hand me a beautiful white stone with a new name on it.  And that name is going to reflect all of His love for me.  It will clearly define me in Him.  It will be special, sacred.  I can't wait to find out what it is!