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| When Only God Knows Your Name
Naaman's Maid: An AppreciationBy Kaleena Thompson
I shake a hand. An introduction is passed. Names are carelessly thrown in the back of their minds. Ears are listening to what I am saying, though not having a clue as to what my name is. I wait for myself to reiterate the sound of those three syllables that form my name (Kuh-lee-nuh), but no one asks again. Maybe they have decided I’m not important enough to ask again. Ouch! I give them the benefit of the doubt; my name is not as simple as other names. So I just let them think I don’t know they don’t know my name. My shoulders shrug up to my ears for complete emphasis that it does not irritate me (it only fazes me). After all, it doesn’t matter if folks securely hide my name in the back of their membranes or not; God knows my name and He also remembers it. He wants to continue to see the smile on my face. He has a purpose for me. In the Bible there were many people that went unnamed, though they had a big purpose. It was their works, not their title, that made them prominent in the abridged Scriptures. One precious life was used by God in a traumatizing, yet abundant manner. Captured by Syrian soldiers from her Israelite homeland, broken and emotionally bruised, a young girl cried a quick farewell to her family. Bounded by chains and the iron that held her enslaved, in spite of all the tragedy, she had a lock of faith tucked inside her heart. She knew God had better days ahead for her. Selling lives to any bidder, at any price, was the cruel plan for her and fellow Israelites. Before being “handed over” to any household, a tall, strapping, yet ever-distinguished captain caught her eye. Intimidation rang through her frail body as he ordered his decree. Calling her “the young Jewess,” he purchased her for his household. Little did he know this young lowly Jewess’ faith would have a greater impact on him than in just assisting his wife. After watching the girl maintain her humble duties, Naaman’s wife advanced her position to a personal servant. Being so close to her mistress, the girl began to examine this married couple’s lives, also their moods and habits. Since she was nearby, she became aware that the calm household she began working in was becoming a house of chaos. Rumors and whispers were frantically cascading through the house. It was later revealed that Naaman had developed leprosy. An incurable skin disease. Her heart sank. She wanted to do something for him, but felt only pangs of helplessness. She cried out to God because she knew He had brought her here for a purpose. One
day the girl said to her mistress, “I
wish my master would go to see the prophet in In a captain of the Syrian army’s home, a nameless maid made a name for herself. She had faith her master would be healed of leprosy when the physicians relinquished all hope. This was her purpose. II Kings 5 demonstrates one of the many cases of how God used unnamed people to fulfill His purpose. Whether you are rich, poor, with a name or without, you are important enough to be used by Him. (And yes, sometimes it calls for allowing an unknown innocent to be taken as a slave.) Even when those Syrian soldiers strapped the chains on her wrists, God knew her and her purpose. Striking Naaman with leprosy made way for God’s plan to progress. Planting the idea of visiting the prophet Elisha in the young Jewess’ mind allowed the plan to be conveyed to the king. Healing Naaman completed God’s plan and purpose─after he eventually overcame his arrogance and stubbornness. Although
she wasn’t as important to those around her like her master was, although she
had no major influence, status or wealth, and although her name is not even
mentioned in the Bible, her story continues to span ages and lifetimes. © 2002 Kaleena Thompson ------ |
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