As I discussed in my last blog post, I have been asking God for years what this ministry to which He has called me will be called. I didn't want this ministry to be centered around me or my (ever-changing) name. I wanted it to be separate and specific and wholly His. There are these multiple dimensions and dynamics to this ministry that from a branding standpoint, need to be their own entity. And God, in His perfect wisdom and timing, has laid upon my heart the perfect name. 34:18.

Without a doubt, 34:18 is totally God's. It comes from my favorite verse in the world, which is nestled in my favorite chapter of the whole Bible - Psalm 34:18. It says, "The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit." This verse is the first verse I ever memorized as a child. It is the verse I have repeated to myself over and over to help pull me out of depressive spells and anxious spirals. It is a verse that came into the life of my family at a time where all hope seemed lost. It is precious to my mother, it is precious to me, and it is what inspires this ministry. 

God is close to us. Even when we are broken and we are in the throes of life, he is near. When our sins are splintering our hearts, he is near. When we feel like we have been crushed into a million pieces, he is near. But not only that! He doesn't just sit close to us and empathize with us and mourn what we mourn and collect our tears. He saves us. When our spirit is crushed and when all hope has been drained from our souls, He has the power and the desire to save us from that place. He is close to the brokenhearted. He saves those who are crushed in spirit. He is good and powerful and capable and loving and faithful - all in one verse. 

That is the inspiration behind this "rebranding" of sorts. That is the reason this ministry has finally been given a name. 34:18 encapsulates the beautiful and moving message of hope I desire to preach to the entire world.

My wish is that here at 34:18, you will feel a sense of warmth and safety. With great expectation, I desire that you will come to know God better, grow in your understanding of who he wants you to be, and find the wholeness of hope through our great Savior. My goal is that I will live my entire life on this mission - and that through these ministries of writing, speaking, blogging, coaching, counseling, etc - you will find the closeness and salvation that Psalm 34:18 describes.