The Name Plate

Background Acts 4:1-20

For we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard. (Acts 4:20)

THE NAME PLATE

THE DESK PHONE RANG. It was someone wanting me to redo an employee’s office name-plate. It was the employee’s birthday, and some were wanting to have a little fun by changing the name and title, jokingly making it appear “official”.

I had just been given the responsibility of making new nameplates for the people in our office building. Names and titles can be a way to show honor for years of hard work and investment, as well as to make it easier to find people.

The Lord had shown me, however, that honor had become too important to me, proving I had to straighten out my priorities. (Proverbs 23:1-7.) I had asked His forgiveness, and now determined to do His will. The name-plates had become an opportunity to give honor where it was really due.

The more I thought about it, I realized I couldn’t change the name plate “just for fun”, so asked to be released from the task.

The Lord, you see, had just brought healing to my own spirit as I had forgiven. I could not, then, in good conscience, cheapen His work.

Sure, I was ridiculed, “Awe, come on, what’s the harm in a little fun!” Sure, I felt intimidated.
But forgiveness demonstrates the Source of the Greatest Love of all!

- Paul Wilson

If you have truly heard His voice, you’ll know how to use yours!

© 2008 by Wesleyan Publishing House. All rights reserved. Used by permission of Wesleyan Publishing House.