Gomer's Gospel: Why I Named my Blog After a Harlot of Biblical Proportions

It's official.  Women's ministry coordinators across the U.S. are in an uproar over my tasteless choice in titles.  At least they would be if they read my "commentary on life and theology from a feminine perspective."  So you're probably wondering why this characteristically demure and unassuming young blog writer would choose to so stir these imaginary waters.  Disregarding the accuracy of my self-description, allow me to answer that question with a brief history of my blogging endeavors leading up to the crescendo that is my decision to start this blog.

It all started not too long ago when I decided to start blogging as an outlet for my creative inclinations, small though they may be.  I always wanted an avenue by which I could share with the world all of the wonderful things the Lord has been teaching me as He leads me through this crazy winding road we call existence.  Given my passion for ministry toward women specifically, I wanted to write a blog geared toward them that was free of the emotionalism and man centered "theology" that too often permeates much of the westernized Christian approaches to women's ministry.  Unfortunately, I couldn't think of a blog title that fit the job description.  I know what you're thinking, "What's in a name?" Right?  Well a lot apparently!  I ended up titling my blog something embarrassing and moving on with my life.  A serious case of writer's block ensued.  Try as I might, I couldn't bring myself to write entries on topics that didn't quite mesh with my title!  I eventually abandoned that whole track, disappointed with the light and fluffy garbage I was churning out.

As things in my life became increasingly hectic, I began noticing a strong desire to write rising in me again.  So this time, I googled "blog titles" eventually arriving at an e-how article on how to brainstorm for titles.  One of the ideas was to make a list of songs that resonate with you for inspiration.  Given my current state of feeling like a spiritual harlot, I immediately thought of Brooke Fraser's Hosea's Wife.  Throwing copyright laws out the window, I logged on to blogger.com and attempted to create my brand new blog.  Unfortunately, someone else decided to disregard copyright laws before I did.  Then it hit me: Gomer's Gospel.  Upon quickly researching the etymology behind the name "Gomer," I stumbled upon a website that describes the name as follows:

"The name Gomer comes from the verb (gamar 363). This verb occurs only five times (all in the Psalms; 12:2, 77:9, 138:8, 7:10 & 57:3) and has the basic meaning of to complete, finish..."

I couldn't believe my eyes!  You may or may not have noticed that I somewhat nonchalantly referenced my spiritual state as being one of harlotry.  Essentially, my struggles with sin have led me to what I believed to be the absolute precipice of despair.  I thought I could no longer find it in me to continue the warfare against the flesh; I thought that God had alas grown impatient with my hardness of heart and sort of, "gave [me] up in the lusts of [my heart] to impurity."  Feeling confident of this, I was ready to give up.  However, Hosea's dealings with his adulterous wife, Gomer, have always been a source of encouragement and hope for me.  Reflected in that incredible portrait of the infidelity of God's people contrasted with the relentless love and faithfulness of the Lord was an image bearing an uncanny resemblance to my own walk with Jesus.

All of a sudden, I remembered that my salvation and the free love I received from the Lord of Hosts himself was just that, free.  It was never based on my performance and therefore would never be lost on the basis of my infidelity toward Him.  Just as Hosea took his wife back after repeated adulterous romps, so God would take his covenant people back time and time again and would one day strip them of their idolatry once and for all.  And the meaning behind the name, "Gomer" brought an entirely new and unexpected dimension to this beloved story, namely, the promise of "completion."

"And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ."  (Php 1:6)

Given the current state of affairs in much of the American Church these days, I can think of no better hope to look toward than the hope emulated by the tragic romance of Hosea and his wife.  Far from treading down the well-worn path of looking to one's own worth to find satisfaction and fulfillment, the book of Hosea points us toward a Savior whose merit is meritorious enough for Himself and for His bride.  This is the gospel in its most raw and extravagant form.

"In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins."
(1Jn 4:10)

And God finishes what he starts.  That's a promise.  The perceived level of sinful inclinations in the heart of any given believer has no bearing on that promise.  And that my friends, is good news indeed.  Hence the name, Gomer's Gospel.