Shara Bueler - Repka

Note From Shara

My name, Shara, means “she sings.”

My dad thought through names like Sheryl, Sheri, and Sharon, and wanted something unique. He came up with “Shara”. He’d never heard that name before, nor did he know what it meant.

In 1963, it seemed no one had ever heard that name. But the Holy Spirit knew. That name was the foundation of my calling. Seems the Lord was working in my life, even before I made my appearance.

By “coincidence,” I found out the meaning years later. I emailed a Hebrew scholar regarding shipping costs on a CD order. After the business discussion, he asked me out of the blue, “Do you want to know what your name means?”

“Absolutely!” I replied. For years, I searched for the meaning. He wrote, “Your name means ‘she sings’.” I was floored. I’m a singer with several albums recorded and minister through music.

This man had no idea. And I knew this exchange was all God.

My earlier years started out a bit sideways, and I lived quite the “adventures”—adventures that seemed not at all to mirror my name. At age 8, a mentally ill woman on drugs shot my mother. (By the grace of God, Mom survived, but it was a long road, with the woman threatening my life too.) At 17, my childhood home burned down from arson, and my family lost everything. At 26, my first husband ran off under shameful circumstances. Add to the mix sprinklings of the deaths of close loved ones, and yeah, I had quite a lively existence.

Even before the ex-husband thing, I believed my family and I were cursed. I sank into the quicksand of despair. Surviving was my M.O., but depression almost took me out…literally.

I remember sitting on the edge of my bed, contemplating how I would do “it”. Suddenly, I saw a vision of a candle-like light flickering deep within my soul. I could see it plainly through the coal-black darkness. At that moment, I heard in my spirit, “Don’t give up.” And then again, “Don’t give up.”

Somehow, I knew that was God’s Holy Spirit. I was 19.

I had given my life to Jesus at the age of four, but life had become a scary thing. The goodness of God seemed to be submerged in a mire of fear and confusion.

I’ve had quite a few self-inflicted “bummer” moments where I’ve made a lot of dumb mistakes because of hurts. But God had His merciful hand on me.

He directed boots-on-the-ground, divine appointments through compassionate people, and He taught me through His Word. Slowly, my trust grew towards His unconditional love.

I’ve owned and worked with horses my whole life, and the best way I can describe my journey is a wild horse with big-time trust issues. Eventually, with love and time, they come around—even the abused ones.

My favorite verse is Jeremiah 29:11: “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

When that promise took root deep in my heart, verses 12-13 came alive: “Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your
heart.” (NIV)

I also learned that God did not author any of the things my family or I went through. It was the enemy, Satan. “The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I [Jesus] have come that
they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” (John 10:10-NKJV—Brackets mine)

Just the other day, the Holy Spirit revealed an even deeper meaning of my name. My husband and I have ministered through music for many years at various venues from campfires to Nashville, at Cowboy Churches to
Indian Reservations, and everything in between.

I know our music is a tool, amongst many, on our toolbelt. However, in times when I’m not singing, I feel a bit like I’m shirking my duties—not living up to my name. Was I missing something?

I love how the Lord addresses our thoughts before we ask Him the question! He showed me that although singing is one of my giftings, the deeper meaning is “attitude”.

He reminded me of His encouragement years ago when He said, “You are my cheerleader.” When He said it, it totally resonated. I was a cheerleader in high school, and I knew exactly what that meant—you
encourage others to root for your team. And, in some cases, no matter what!

In a spiritual sense, my deeper calling is to “cheer” for the Lord. Psalm 92:4 proclaims: “For You make me glad by Your deeds, Lord; I sing for joy at what Your hands have done.” (NIV)

My assignment? To “sing” the Lord’s praises, yes, in song, but also in testimonies and actions. Even when I don’t understand the “play”, I cheer from a heart of faith that He is a good, merciful, and just God.

The life I (and my husband) am called to is diverse, exciting, and full of adventures. Even when we’re not traveling with our ministries, God is always at work and moving in an incredible way!

My mission in life is to encourage others in their journey with Jesus: to be the “boots-on-the-ground, divine appointment” for someone else; to cheer others on as they walk on the trail He’s shown them, to trust Him and never give up; and to encourage them to cheer others on, as they learn and grow in the awesome knowledge of our loving God.

Have I “arrived?” No way! Life is a journey for all of us, and we need each other to continue growing and learning.

So, let’s “sing” and walk this journey together.