It's all about the brand, baby

He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake. Psalm 23:3 

I am His name-bearer on so many levels. 

Christine.  Little Christ.  Anointed. Follower of Christ.

Christian.  Follower of Christ.

Child of God.  Beloved.

I think the idea goes beyond not embarrassing the name of Jesus, which is certainly a very real possibility, especially in consideration of our very real brokenness.  There is the clear implication of bringing honor and glory to His name, which is a celebratory calling of worship and purpose.

But I also think that it has something to do with sort of logic, “This is my child name-bearer. And how I lead her reflects on my leadership and trustworthiness.  If I am indeed the good shepherd, and she bears my mark, my brand so to speak seared into her very being, I will demonstrate my truth and rightness in the paths where I lead.”  

And when one explores the idea of leadership and followership, the burden is light if the leader is strong.  In sweet followership, I am so close to Him that His light of presence falls upon my path, and we can converse along the way.  Brother Lawrence wrote, “I drove away from my mind everything capable of spoiling the sense of the presence of God.... I just make it my business to persevere in His holy presence...  We ought to act with God in the greatest simplicity, speak to Him frankly and plainly, and implore His assistance in our affairs.”

I suspect that this is very closely tied up with the closing refrain: Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.

Stumbling is part of the process

And as for me, in the first year of Darius the Mede, I stood up to confirm and strengthen him. Daniel 11:1

Wandering around through the commentaries of the internet this hefty prophesy confuses all but the most dogmatic crackpots.  But at the very least, this prophecy conclusively shows God is in control and world events happen according to His plan and purpose.  

And that when kings do what they will, the righteous will suffer.  And they will mess up sometimes, and that's to be expected.  And some of the wise shall stumble, so that they may be refined, purified, and made white, until the time of the end, for it still awaits the appointed time.

And the tangle of political intrigue is part and parcel of life here on earth.  He shall seduce with flattery those who violate the covenant, but the people who know their God shall stand firm and take action.  But woe to those who put their trust in this system, for when the time comes, he will come to his end, and he will have none to help him.  

But beyond general “Buck up, cheerio” admonitions, and hope in these most disheartening of political times, I am going to meditate on and put into practice the idea that if the archangel Gabriel came down to confirm and strengthen Darius the Mede as he struggled to lead an ornery people in challenging times, I too, can stand up to confirm and strengthen and pray for those in leadership around me.