What's In a Name?

We are excited that we now have a winner in the baby name contest we've been running. Congratulations to MrFribbles for your guesses. You were victorious and Shanna has already begun work on the victory lap quilt that we'll be sending your direction.

So, without further delay, allow me to announce our excitement at the ever-nearing arrival of our daughter Ziona Katriel Reimer.

Ziona is a derivative of the Hebrew proper noun "Zion". This is a term with a rich meaning in the Old Testament text, especially in the Psalms and in the prophecy of Isaiah. It is primarily used in relation to the future hope of God's covenant people. Psalm 50 proclaims that it is from mount Zion, described as the perfection of beauty, that God will shine forth. It is the daughters of Zion that were to look forward to their King riding on a donkey. In John's apocalypse the Lamb, Jesus Christ, is envisioned standing upon mount Zion surrounded by those emblazoned with the name of the Father. For Shanna and I this name reminds us of the future hope of glory that we have and that she will enjoy as a child of God.

The name Katriel is from the Hebrew root ktr or qtr with the suffix "-el", for God. The first root, ktr, means "to surround" or "to encircle", or more metaphorically, "to crown". The second root, qtr, means "to make sacrifices smoke" or "to burn or offer a sacrifice". The name, using the first root, means something akin to being "surrounded by God", or more metaphorically, to be the "crown of God". The second root means "offering of God" or "sacrifice of God". This name has a profound meaning for Shanna and I as we think of her in light of our relationship with Almighty God. We consider her a gift from God but we also offer her back to Him as an offering and pray that she is encircled by God's presence and grace.

We already love our child dearly and are eager to meet her face to face. It will be one of the greatest joys of life to see her christened with this name and grow into a thriving participant in God's covenant.

Allow me to share the prayer for children one more time, for this is our prayer for her:

ALMIGHTY God, heavenly Father, who hast blessed us with the joy and care of children; Give us light and strength so to train them, that they may love whatsoever things are true and pure and lovely and of good report, following the example of their Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.

Security

I suppose I should explain the word "toshav." The term is the transliteration of the Hebrew term which most English versions of the Bible translate as "sojourner", and, from what I've read, carries a meaning of "resident alien", or "stranger in a foreign land." I'll be studying Hebrew next year, so if I find out I'm using this word/translation incorrectly I'll make amends at that time.

So, what does the word "sojourner" have to do with me? Recently, in my Old Testament History class, the professor was discussing Abraham and the intense amount of faith it would have taken for him to leave his father's family to become a sojourner (foreigner, alien, etc.) in Canaan. Apparently, in ancient near eastern culture one's security and well-being were defended by one's family. There was no 911, National Guard, or hostage rescue team to help you out of a jam. If you and your family were injured or violated there was no court system to hear a civil suit or with which to file criminal charges. There was your family, though. Your family's strength became your security. When Abraham left his family, he left his security. He didn't have a United States Passport which provided him the support of the US should something go wrong in this new country. From an earthly perspective, he was on his own. What he had, though, was God. When he left his family he was making a statement to God that God would be his security. When you think about it, that's quite a powerful statement and one we all should strive to make.

As a Christian, I believe whole-heartedly that this life I live right now is but the briefest of events when compared to eternity. My ultimate citizenship is heavenly, and my ultimate family bond is with my Heavenly Father. As a result, I am but a resident alien, a foreigner, a sojourner in this life. My security rests in God. Despite the loving and devoted wife I am blessed with and adore, my ultimate security is not with a spouse. Despite the compassionate family I get to claim, my ultimate security is not with relatives. Despite being a citizen of a country that offers military protection and religious freedom, my ultimate security is not with the United States. My security comes from the God Almighty!