Archive for the ‘Kings’ Category

Names are reflections of character and character and destiny are inseparable

Ben Hooper grew up in a small Tennessee town.  Townsfolk called him “Little Ben”.  Little Ben never knew who his father was which, in those days, meant a life of shame and humiliation.  Little Ben came to expect whispering and hard glances which seemed to suddenly start or stop as he entered and exited every social setting.  Little Ben’s name had become a cruel town joke.

When Little Ben became an adult, he kept to himself and rarely went to church.  But one Sunday, he sneaked in and sat on the back pew after the service was well in progress just to see and hear the new preacher.  Little Ben was captivated by his words, but as the service came near an end, he quickly slipped out the same way he entered.  Week after week Little Ben continued coming in late and leaving early so he could avoid the cruel judgments of the crowd.

On one particular Sunday, Little Ben was more captivated by the preacher’s words than ever before and he lost track of time.  Before he knew what had happened, the service was over and he was caught in the crush of people he had so often tried to avoid.  Feeling suddenly self-conscious and panicked, Little Ben quickly tried to make his way to the door and safety.  Suddenly a voice rang out over the crowd, “Whose boy are you?”  The question landed like thunder after years of silent lightening.  Every tongue was stilled as one voice published the single thought which had occupied their minds for so many years.  As everyone (including Little Ben) turned toward the sound, all were shocked to see it was the preacher!   As he approached Little Ben, he thundered again, “Whose boy are you?”  The tension was unbroken by a huddle of bloodless faces.  And then the preacher said, “I know whose boy you are—the resemblance is unmistakable—you are a child of God!  That’s a pretty big name you’ve got to live up to!”

Little Ben Hooper says it was on that day he was elected and reelected as the governor of the state of Tennessee.  Because a Christian’s name is a reflection of His character and His character and our destiny are inseparable.