One clue to our gift lies in our names

I've always been proud of the meaning of my name. 'Nicole' is often thought to be a French name, but it's not. It's a Greek name, and it means 'Victory of the People.' Pretty fitting for someone like me, whose life purpose is to help people to live victorious lives!

This weekend, I attended the Pennsylvania-Delaware District of the Assemblies of God Women of Purpose Conference. The speakers were all so knowledgeable, talented, funny, and powerful!

District Director Ruth Puleo taught out of Numbers 27. She discussed the concept of daughters and our legitimate inheritance. She gave a description of the meaning of each of the names of the daughters of Zelophehad, and discussed their possible spiritual gift. Wow! That was right up my alley!

I wasn't taking notes--I admit it!--but here is my own effort at the meanings of each of these daughters' names and their possible spiritual gifts:

1. Mahlah: One who plays the harp for people who are sick ~ gift of healing
   
2. Noah: Someone who is always in motion; the life of the party (interestingly, the name Noah for a boy means 'rest'. Hummmmmm.....) ~ gifts of service
   
3. Hoglah: Dancer ~worshipper with the gift of faith
   
4. Milcah: Queen, the person in charge ~ gift of administration/leadership
   
5. Tizrah: Positively giving ~ gift of giving
   

Primary gifts 'stick out,' but secondary gifts are evident as well. For example, based on their names, both Mahlah and Tizrah are likely to have been gifted in the area of showing mercy.

In reading the commentary on this passage, I learned that the way the Biblical authors referenced this daughter-set in three other passages of Scripture shows that their status and rank within their family was equal with one another. Our consideration of our gifts should be the same. No gift is more important than the other because they are all useful, unique and essential to kingdom-building and people-serving.

Coaches Question: Are YOU walking out the powerful meaning of your name, today?