Personal Reflection on El Olam

One of my favorite parts of the book, "16 Names of God: a Strong Tower to Run to" is the personal reflections. Each of the 16 chapters in the book contains a personal reflection written by a different girl.

These personal reflections are moving! They challenge us. They are thought-provoking and we are better off having read them.

​I want to share one of these with you so that you can get just a bite-sized sample of what to expect when you read "16 Names of God."

I was drawn to Rachel's reflection on the name of God El Olam. I love her transparency as she beautifully describes what many of us feel. On a day-to-day basis, we so desperately need to be reminded that God is good, faithful, and able. Rachel dives into this name of God and reminds us of these unchanging attributes of God.

"There is a sting that will be felt by every person who walks this earth. No matter how much care is taken to protect against it, there is no hiding from it, and no avoiding the effects of the pain inflicted by it. It is the sting of death. I have felt this sting in a way that a mother wishes never to experience it. With a shattered heart, I have offered back to God two unborn children, whom I never had the pleasure of knowing, but whom God took great pleasure in forming. The lives of these two children could have seemed wasted, the loss unbearable had it not been for El Olam. 

It is often the most heartbreaking moments in life that cause us to seek to understand the heart of God. To ruminate in the question of why such things happen in the world, when we know our loving God sees them all. What is the point of creating a life that ends almost as soon as it starts? What is the real purpose of life, even if we were to live for 100 years? When we come to the end of time, it never leaves one with satisfaction, but only wondering how it went by so quickly. However, there is great satisfaction in knowing an eternal God Who offers eternal life in Heaven. 

In my grief, God reminded me that my hope is not found in this world, but in Him and His promises. Because my faith is in El Olam, the end of my life is not really the end, but a new beginning into a life that is not bound by time. Because El Olam is not restricted by time, I don’t have to worry that my prayers aren’t important enough to reserve a place before His throne where I lay my petitions before Him. It’s not too much to ask an eternal God to walk with me while I face a fear, or to carry the weight of my grief that is too heavy for me to bear without Him.

God knew that the release of these children back to Him would be a painful sacrifice for one who cannot see His plan as He does. With limited knowledge of things not yet seen, we cling with faith to the promise that one day all will fully be revealed. He meant it all for good. He lifts the tear-filled eyes toward Heaven as a reminder of the hope He provided for all. The sacrifice of His own Son’s death secures the eternal lives of all who put their faith and trust in Him for their salvation, and because He is the eternal God, we never have to fear that those promises will die with Him. They are secure in His eternality. 

​He conquered death once and for all, and when we take our first step through the gates of Heaven, we can declare with overwhelming joy, “O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is your victory?” All pain will instantly be gone, and only rejoicing in our King Who reigns forever will remain! There is no dictator or spiritual power that can threaten the hope that our eternal God holds safely for us!

​One day, I will be able to meet my unborn children, say “hello” to the grandmother I never had a chance to say “goodbye” to, discover the vast and mysterious universe, and see in fullness the glory of the God Whom my soul longs for and my faith has clung to for all these years. My hope and comfort rests in El Olam!" —Rachel

​Share your personal reflection on the name of God El Olam in the comments.

Read more: EL OLAM: The Eternal God