As for Sarai your wife, you are no longer to call her Sarai; her name will be Sarah. I will bless her and will surely give you a son by her. I will bless her so that she will be the mother of nations; kings of peoples will come from her.
This is the epic moment when God dropped a bomb on my head during Genesis intensive, when he showed me the true meaning of my own name.
Can you hear the bewilderment in my voice??!? (You may have to turn up the volume, mumbling was a terrible bad habit in my old life…) I had always thought (assumed???) that my name meant ‘princess’. But based on that study on Genesis 17, imagine my surprise to find out I didn’t even know my own name. Or now, I’d like to think of it as: God was giving me a new name– from princess to mother of many nations… Back at that time, I don’t think I completely understood the magnitude of the spiritual significance of my “new” name; nonetheless, I was shocked due to the fact that I didn’t know the meaning of my own name.
But now I better understand the significance of such name God gave me through seeing the fulfillment of his salvation work in my life these past years, from changing my nature from spoiled to shepherd-like nature…
While growing up, I really didn’t like my name because of its popularity. Now I am utterly grateful that God was SO wise to not have inspired my parents to name me Roxy (there was a time in my life I really wanted that to be my name… Don’t ask why…). I am grateful for God’s grace to have given me such practical reminder of his great vision upon my life. I pray to not forget such immense grace he bestowed upon me by ‘changing’ my name.
Amen. Thank you for this short short but powerful testimony. When God changed Abraham and Sarah names and gave them new vision for their lives. I was so encouraged that even at my old age God can still call me and change my name to be a father of many nations. Thank you for reminding me of Gods vison for me and all those that follow. I needed to hear this with my first day of school starting today. God bless you.
Thank you for posting this! I have witnessed God’s wonderful work in your life. I remember when you were a bit shy now you are delivering powerful messages! I have also seen that spiritual mother like character in you. About a month ago you put your hand on my shoulder and I was reminded of my Good Shepherd through that gesture. I am hopeful that God will change me too when I follow Him all the way. May God continue to reveal His beautiful character through you and build you up as a Mother of Many all the more!
Beautiful testimony of God shining light to you. The song is beautiful too. Thank you mother of many nations!
Thank you for this cool testimony even a chance to hear a snippet of Genesis Intensive with Johnny! It is amazing to hear how you were responding before in Bible Study kindof mumbling and how God has been building you up as a spiritual mother of nations and powerful messenger since then. This gives me encouragement to see that my students who might even be shy or respond strangely can grow as spiritual leaders. I have a student named Sarah and another named Aaron. May they grow up to their spiritual names!
I’m not sure it’s normal to reply to my own comment, but I just had Bible Study with Sarah tonight and I asked her: “Do you know what your name means?” Amazingly she said the same thing you did and thought it meant princess. Then I shared with her that it meant to be a “mother of many nations” and she was really excited and when I asked her if she wanted to be committed to God to become that, she said “Yes!”
LOLOL that’s so amazing!! History repeating itself!
Wow! It’s really cool to hear the Bible study that touched your heart. It’s like…listening to a recorded moment in spiritual history. I imagine how excited God was to reveal this message to you. Praise God for his beautiful work in your life. I agree with Angie…and your mother-of-many-nations qualities have been a source of comfort and encouragement to me very personally too. I pray that a galaxy of disciples would rise under your care!
Whoa that phrase “spiritual history” sounds so intense haha! That makes me think…wouldn’t it be so cool if we could go back to a moment in the Bible where a great servant of God was just starting to turn to God? Like Jeremiah as a young man, or Isaiah, or Paul meeting Jesus on the road. Spiritual history is probably the real story of the world, while all the outer chaos is just the surface level. On a side note, I wish we could get everyone’s spiritual origin story on the blog hahahaha xD
This sounds like I am listening to a birth video. Johnny sounds like a loving father in a hospital who is holding his newborn daughter and saying, “Your name is Sarah. Do you know what that means? You gotta live up to your name now.” So cool, because this was your spiritual birth. (I could not hear you though @Sarah Lingberg)
Wow Sarah this is amazing! The grace that God has poured out upon your life inspires me to hope in great things to come in my life! I noticed that you used to be a mumbler and you say that you used to be spoiled. I, in the same sense, have many problems that persist in me. For instance, I still yet to have a Shepherds heart for my sheep. I love them I really do but it is very hard for me to pray for my sheep with a Shepherds heart. I believe that God is growing me up to be a shepherd, just like you are. Wow that song is amazing too! Who but you, oh God, can fulfill the promises upon our lives? It is amazing to see God fulfill his promises in each and every one of our lives. I can have hope now for the future. God is amazing! God bless you so immensely and I’m so thankful to have you as my sister in Christ. You are an inspiration to us all. Love, Alexandra.
Roxy???? Hahaha!!! How inspiring that your name is not Roxy, but Sarah. Praise the Lord! It is very interesting to remember that there is such a moment for all of us when God’s word touched our hearts very personally like this.
The funny thing is that I did not know any girl named “Sarah” growing up. It was only when I came to Shepherds Church that the name “Sarah” was common yet an admirable name. It’s so wonderful that God has changed your mind about your name, and introduced to you the greatness of your name. Although you were timid, God wants to make you into a giant spiritual woman. Sarah is greater than “Roxy”. Thank you for sharing your testimony.
Woah! What a touching and beautiful moment- to be able to witness and hear the moment God planted his vision and kingdom in your heart! I am also very touched by God’s words through Johnny, “Oh my goodness! You are a mother of many nations! That’s amazing!” What a privilege and beautiful thing it is to be the one that God uses to bring sheep back to their shepherd. Praise God for his grace and vision on your life!
God’s work in your life is really glorious! I have been so blessed to enjoy the fruit of God’s work in your life. Your beautiful inner person today gives me hope for myself and my sheep.
It’s amazing that you didn’t like your name and that you thought your name meant what the derivation actually meant! Surely God’s grace revealed the truth of it in His perfect timing.
That’s such an awesome testimony! To realize “oh my God! This is God’s vision for me!” That must have flooded you. Right now, I’m sure you’re going through one of life’s storms. I’m sure it’s not pleasant, but by going through it you can be forged into that mighty mother of many nations who can stand firm even in challenges. Praise God for what he’s doing in you and going to do in you. Keep hanging onto that vision of what God has in mind for you to be.
Thanks for sharing that Sarah. There is so much in a name really – at least in Gods eyes. In Gods eyes you are a mother of many nations.
soooooo coool that u have this!!! SARAAAAAAHYAAAAAA I MISS YOU SO MUCH!!!