Time

Time is a funny thing. Four years ago today I spent a nervous Saturday rehearsing my first sermon for Wheatland Avenue UMC. It was not my first sermon in life, but it would be my first time to step into a pulpit that was mine- to look out at the flock I was supposed to shepherd. I was nervous and excited.

Now four years later, I am getting ready to head over to the high school and decorate my first classroom. It is the first time that my name is outside the door of a classroom- the first time I will have my own students. I feel like as I get ready to start another new journey my first sermon at WAUMC is just as applicable, here are parts of it:

"Our first scripture reading comes from Genesis 17:1-8.When Abram was ninety-nine years old the Lord, Yahweh, appeared to Abram and said to him, “I am God Almighty; walk before me, and be blameless, that I may make my covenant between me and you and may multiply you greatly.” Then Abram fell on his face. And God said to him, “behold, my covenant is with you, and you shall be the father of a multitude of nations. No longer shall your name be called Abram, but your name shall be Abraham, for I have made you the father of a multitude of nations. I will make you exceedingly fruitful and I will make you into nations, and kings shall come from you. And I will establish my covenant between me and you and your offspring after you throughout their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and to your offspring after you. And I will give to you and to you offspring after you the land of you sojournings, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession, and I will be their God.”

Our second lesson comes from Acts 13:9But Saul, who was now called Paul was filled with the Holy Spirit… Paul never went by Saul, except for when speaking of his old life, again

I am so glad that Scott talked about the mantle last week, because I am going to be going down a similar path. It just proves once again that God is still in the business of the little details, and for that I am very thankful.

Up until just a few weeks ago I was called many things. My friends called me everything from Megs to Meganathon and Owen to Piffer. At college for some reason no one goes by the name that their parents actually gave them. We all feel like it is absolutely necessary to have a half dozen nicknames. At work I was Meg, until I was doing purchasing then I was Ms. Manning. The little boy I watched called me My Megan. As a substitute teacher I went by Miss Manning, teacher, or hey you. Each of these names and the ones I didn’t mention are a part of who I am and they each have a role that goes with the name.

My spiritual name, which I incidentally think is the most important, is Freedom Fighter. You will all hear more about that as the weeks and months go by. It is a huge part of my life and I can’t wait to share more about it, but today there just isn’t enough time.

Our name says who we are. I believe our parents have free will to name us do not get me wrong, but many times we grow up and we are a reflection of the name we have been given. Megan means eccentric pearl of wisdom. I do not necessarily believe that I am eccentric but I am quirky, and my degree is in Philosophy so I am pursuing wisdom.

 Abram in Hebrew means the one who bows his knee to the high father, and what did Abram do… in the scripture reading we see that he fell on his face before God. He was a reflection of the name he had. God then changed his name to Abraham, which means father of the multitudes. And we know from scripture and history Abraham is the father to all Christians. Interestingly enough a little known fact is Ishmael Abraham and Haggar’s son is the father of the Islamic faith so he is also the father of our Muslim counterparts. We cannot literally begin to count or even understand the number of descendants Abraham has.

Saul means in the Greek to think own self. Who was Saul worshiping? He was serving and worshiping himself. He did it under the guise of a faithful Jew, but his own interests were above all else. Paul means to cease or cause to leave. He ceased his old was and caused many others to leave their ways to follow Christ.
See how names can play a big part in what you are and what you become…

Now I have accepted a new name—Pastor. I take this role and responsibility very seriously. I am grateful and humbled to be given this enormous opportunity to work alongside of you. This name will not be like any of the other names I have held up until this point, but pieces of my other roles are coming along with me into this role to better equip me to fulfill it in a Godly manner. I believe that God has a name and a role for everyone here. Let’s discover the full meanings of your names and my new name together."

I have again accepted an new name-- Apex Supervisor. I take this role and responsibility seriously. I am excited for this new journey. I am thrilled to be helping students work towards graduation. I believe fully that God has opened the door to walk through into this position. My prayer is to be the person God has created me to be and be a light.