A couple of weeks my Great Uncle (my father’s uncle) passed away. We saw it coming and thank God is now in Heaven with no more pain. He was a great man from a family of great people. He was a godly man who constantly and unendingly fought for others to know the love of Jesus Christ. He was the man who I was named after. Before the funeral I was asked to write a few words to be read during the ceremony. Here is what I wrote…
Proverbs 22:1 says “A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold.”
I don’t know if it was my parents genius, their wisdom or God’s plan, but when I was named John Oakley Walker my life was forever connected to one of the most amazing men I have ever know. Because of John Oakley Burnham I knew every day that I had a purpose and I came from somewhere. My lineage didn’t start or stop with me. From the time I was a little boy I was told stories of a man who fought in the war, ran from God, came back to God with passion and for many years preached boldly the name of Jesus. As I grew up, it was as if Uncle Johnny was a superhero. It was as if I were named after Superman himself and I had super powers that his name gave me. I didn’t see Uncle Johnny often but he was never far from me. When i was in elementary school, when other kids were getting made fun of for their weird names, I proudly told the other kids my name. As kids often do, they would try to make up funny names to tease me, but I would hold my head high and remember a man who was big and strong and loved Jesus. For me, carrying Uncle Johnny’s name has been a privilege and a honor. I have often walked into a business meeting and had something great to talk about when I introduced myself as Johnny Walker. The response was almost always in relation to the scotch of the same name. I would quickly recount the story of being named after a great man. Uncle Johnny was so loving to me, when he came to see us, he always encouraged me. Though he lived so far away I desired to make him proud. It was such an honor to have Uncle Johnny hear me preach before he passed away. Following him and many of other family members into the pastorate has given me a new respect for him. He loved people but he loved Jesus Christ more. My parents may have thought it was a good idea to name me after Uncle Johnny but I am fully aware that because of it, he and Aunt Gisela prayed for me often. We have been forever linked. First with our given names John Oakley Burnham and John Oakley Walker and our chosen names, Christian. Uncle Johnny may have been many things to many people in this room but for me he has been a living, breathing example of why a good name is to be chosen. It is because of him, I know that it matters who you associate yourself with. It is because of his name that I proudly hold my head high and proclaim the name of Jesus. And it is because of my connection to him that my wife and I named my son after both my father and my father-in-law. I pray that one day my son will experience the joy of carrying a great man’s name as I have. Uncle Johnny will be greatly missed but his name I will carry even more proudly knowing, for eternity, he is partying with the Creator of the universe. Thank you John Oakley Burnham for passing on a heritage of courage, boldness and passion to me that I, John Oakley Walker, happily pass on to my generation and the generation to follow.
As we have been on our adventure here in England, God has been teaching me about how important it is to surround myself with people that will strengthen me and enhance Christ’s presence in my life. This means choosing quality friends. There are lots of people we will meet that are nice people with great passion for Christ, but only a few who will be my close friends that will be able to strengthen me and I will be able to strengthen. Choose your close friends wisely. God wants us to sharpen each other, through relationship, as we press closer in relationship to Him. He loves us and wants us to love Him. Let me just encourage you… Choose a good name over wealth and riches. It may be the tough decision short term and cause discomfort but, based on what the Bible has said, it will be better in the future if you do.
