What's in a Name?

When my mom named me, it was a simple suggestion that she agreed to. She didn't delve too deeply into the significance; it sounded acceptable, so she embraced it. I am now in awe, coming to the realization that what seemed like happenstance was a deliberate, purposeful design by God. You see, I've been on an identity quest, quite possibly my whole life. I am always in search of the cliché - Who am I? Why am I here? And what am I supposed to be doing? God has consistently revealed this to me in many ways, one such was simply from my name, Sara.

I always knew I had a derivative of a biblical name, but somehow, I didn’t feel very connected to it the way some people are. But last year during a fast, I was hit by a revelation. The Lord dropped in my spirit, "Walk in the purpose of your name, learn from your matriarch." I was intrigued and went researching. I knew Sarah’s story very well, but I must admit that for me it is her husband, Abraham that was always the star in that story. So Sarah gave birth to Isaac in her old age, a fulfillment of God’s promise to this elderly couple. I was flabbergasted that I had previously not seen the similarity between us. In that, fertility wasn’t easy for both of us, but we both have miraculous sons.

But what could I learn from Sarah, a bible hero that I admittedly didn’t think too much about before now? If you read the story in the book of Genesis, you would see that Abraham’s wife's first name was Sarai, and it means “a princess.” As part of how God’s destiny plan for this couple, he renamed them, and Sarai became Sarah meaning “My princess.”

It may seem simple on the surface but that shift from “a” to “my” meant the world to me. It’s like God saying to me, you are not just a princess, you are my princess. While navigating the challenges of finding a sense of belonging and validation from a father figure, it was significant for me to hear the Lord whisper in my spirit, “You are my princess.” Hallelujah! It gives me a deeper sense of acceptance that has ignited a spirit of purpose. I am royalty in the kingdom of God. Yeeessssssss!

So now when I tell you that my name means so much to me, it has given me a glimpse of how God sees me. I now feel empowered to walk in my princessness. There was so much more I learned from Sarah that I wanted to share.

1. Nothing is impossible with God.

2. God always delivers on His promises.

3. God’s timing is always perfect.

4. Patience is a virtue.

5. Infertility is not a punishment.

6. We all mess up, and God doesn’t hold it against us.

7. There is power in submitting to man whose heart is after God.

8. Following God isn’t always easy, but it is always worth it.

9. Laughter of doubt can turn into laughter of joy.

10. There is nothing to hard for the Lord

God knew the identity struggles I would have and what this name would mean to me in this season of my life and the lessons I could hold in my heart from Sarah. Before I knew myself, this was already set in motion, and it blows my mind. I am so grateful for the purposefulness of God. I am what He says I am, and I am His princess.

Help me to love the girl I see, the one in the mirror staring back at me

Help her know she is not what anyone did to her but everything that you put in her

Help her to see her worth, yes that that girl staring back at me

Help me to love her, yes that girl staring back at me

Help me see what you see in that girl staring back at me! (Written by me Sara)