“To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven; A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace. What profit hath he that worketh in that wherein he laboureth? I have seen the travil, which God hath given to the sons of men to be exercised in it. He hath made everything beautiful in his time; also He hath set the word in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end.” Ecclesiasties 3:1-11
Today’s Christian daily devotional
“So, what would you like your name to be?” The question was an odd one to ask any girl that was well into her twenties.
I looked around the small group of females. What a motley crew we were. Standing in front of me was a petite brunette smacking her gum and looking bored to death. Next to her was a busty blonde pouting her lips as if she were posing for the camera that wasn’t even there; she couldn’t seem to get enough of herself. To her left was a lanky, fidgety girl that looked like she couldn’t decide what color she wanted her hair to be. And, standing right next to me was an Asian chick with a nose ring, black fishnets and an attitude to match.
Almost every one of us had the familiar tell-tale signs of what our common ground was: A smattering of bad tattoo cover-up, garish glitter that sparkled off our chests and clothes that were so revealing one would wonder why we even bothered dressing in the first place.
We definitely weren’t your average clan of twenty-somethings.
“Jordan.” Without batting an eye, I was the first girl to speak up and answer his question.
Glancing up from his paperwork, the hefty manager stopped for a second. I held my breath and crossed my fingers–hoping that today would be my lucky day.
“Hmmmm….nope. We got a girl named Jordan already. Pick another name out.” He tapped the ash of his cigar and went right back to finishing our applications for employment.
“Candy.” The brunette flicked her hair impatiently while the manager paused to scribble her new ‘official’ work name on a cocktail napkin.
The scent of cheap body spray and smoke from his cigar lingered in that tiny office; almost nauseating me to the point of simply not caring. But, it still bothered me that no matter what club (in any state) I danced in, the name Jordan was always taken.
Years later, goose-pimples appeared when I discovered that my husband’s mother’s maiden name was also—Jordan! This beautiful yet elusive name seemed to haunt me in every phase of my adult life.
After reading the Old Testament, I learned about the Israelite’s forty-year struggle to overcome their trials in the desert. Their last mission was to cross over the mighty River Jordan. Just on the other side of it, was the infamous, yet also elusive, Promised Land. God had reserved this land just for them. Oh, that wonderful name Jordan just kept gaining in richness and personal significance to me!
After I finished writing my first book, I rejoiced in the fact that the name God had been whispering to my heart for years would finally be mine.
Not only do I love and appreciate my name all the more, but, after these personal struggles I clearly see that He has been calling me this name the whole time. Not only can I hear it, I can feel it: Shalom.
“Dear Heavenly Father,
I just want to thank you for your perfect timing. It seems that only after the storm is over, we really appreciate the benefits of a rainstorm. When it feels like life is at it’s darkest, that gives you the opportunity to shine all the brighter.
Help me to remember this when my next trial hits; help me to cling to the rock of Jesus and see in my spirit the Promised Land of blessing that is on the other side of it.
Give me a heart that has a vision to persevere no matter what, because at the end of the day, you are all I have and quite frankly, you are really all that I need. In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.”
Thank you for reading today’s Christian daily devotional on verses: Ecclesiasties 3:1-11
Please check back and see what we have for you tomorrow!
Author: Julia Shalom Jordan