Daily Devotion #2

Having Faith in the Name

"And on the basis of faith in His name, it is the name of Jesus which has strengthened this man whom you see and know; and the faith which comes through Him has given him this perfect health in the presence of you all." Acts 3:16

Growing up, among many things I did not like about myself, I could not stand my names. I looked up my first name often to find no meaning; it was not a typical name. As I got older, I realized that my name instantly cast me into a box—definitely African American. For the life of me I did not understand where they came from or who thought of them. My momma was always the one to correct people when they mispronounced it. I had this one teacher…all my EC alumni know how…who absolutely annihilated my name every single time she called on me. From Maqwista Piester to her having to think of a monkey—picture that right—to pronounce it right, I am certain she hasn't forgotten it. Despite that, I excelled in her class and even had to teach my classmates when she could not effectively explain a topic. It was not until I went on this journey of embracing me and everything about me, including my name, that I learned to accept it for what it is, and that I, not anyone else defined it. Even better, I really embraced it just this Saturday, as Miss Black SC USA 2009 told me and my fellow queens how she came upon the name for her company. I'm sure everyone has heard or read the story of the Queen of Sheba and Solomon, how she sought wisdom from a place that took 9 months for her to travel to.

What I learned that nearly brought tears to my eyes was that her name was Makeda, or Maqueda and a host of others in different interpretations. It took me learning that to learn so much more about God. We are supposed to have faith when we call on that glorious name of Jesus that we can expect to receive whatever we ask for. We can expect that we will bless us, deliver us, heal us, save us, carry our burdens, and that oh so difficult thing change us. Nothing is too hard for God. Nothing is outside of the realms of His power. So embrace who God made you to be, and define your name, because in His name, all things are possible!

"I have come in my Father's name, and you do not accept me; but if someone else comes in his own name, you will accept him." John 5:43