Today I did a Bible study that discussed the names people were given in the Bible and how God had chosen their names based on the relevance that person's life would have in His kingdom.
It then asked me to discover the meaning behind my name, which I already knew, to find Scriptures referring to that meaning, and to apply how the meaning of your name and references in Scripture can be applied.
The meaning of Amber is "precious jewel".
Well, of course I took this and applied it to me AND my baby girl who will be named Jewell Grace. :)
So, I looked up a couple of Scriptures:
I delight greatly in the Lord;
my soul rejoices in my God.
For he has clothed me with garments of salvation
and arrayed me in a robe of his righteousness,
as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest,
and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.
my soul rejoices in my God.
For he has clothed me with garments of salvation
and arrayed me in a robe of his righteousness,
as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest,
and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.
Isaiah 61:10
The Lord their God will save his people on that day
as a shepherd saves his flock.
They will sparkle in his land
like jewels in a crown.
as a shepherd saves his flock.
They will sparkle in his land
like jewels in a crown.
How attractive and beautiful they will be!
Zechariah 9:16-17a
These and other verses tell me that jewels were and are still used to bring attention to something. A jewel is placed on a woman's left hand to bring attention to the fact that she is spoken for, a necklace made of jewels can be placed on ones neck to bring attention to the beauty of her neck and shoulders. There are many things jewels are meant to bring attention to.
When I first read these verses and thought about it, I thought, I don't want to be the kind of person that is seeking to be noticed as a jewel. It seems very self absorbed. Additionally, in naming my baby girl Jewell, I don't want her to grow to be this attention seeking woman.
God spoke to me and showed me that we, as jewels, can be used to bring attention to HIM! :)
Jewels, at their very finest are cut in a way that reflects the light and brings out colors and facets that otherwise might go unnoticed.
My prayer is that God would continue to carve me and shape me into His finest jewel so that the light would reflect onto Him and bring Him the glory He deserves.
My newest prayer is also that I can be his shaping tool to carve my baby girl into a woman who reflects His glory. I want nothing less than the best for her and in HIS hands, I know she will receive nothing less.
It shone with the glory of God, and its brilliance was like that of a very precious jewel, like a jasper, clear as crystal.
I am blessed with some of the most fabulous friends and am enjoying time here in the mountains with them. I have indulged in some fantastic North Carolina barbecue, salted caramel ice cream, and old fashioned candy...the following is SOME of the creation God has allowed me to indulge in...
