Image courtesy of Steve Evans

This article is incredible. A district in central India held a renaming ceremony for girls who had been named Nakusa or Nakushi–Hindi for “unwanted.” In that district, there are currently only 883 girls for every 1,000 boys, due to gender-selective abortion, infanticide, and neglect. Obviously, life has not been a bed of roses for the “Nakusas” who survived. But this renaming ceremony is giving them hope, and starting them down the path to a new future.

“Now in school, my classmates and friends will be calling me this new name, and that makes me very happy,” said a 15-year-old girl who had been named Nakusa by a grandfather disappointed by her birth. She chose the new name “Ashmita,” which means “very tough” or “rock hard” in Hindi.

It made me wonder: maybe some of us need official renaming ceremonies too, a time when we acknowledge the parts of our identities that are nakusa, shed them like a garment at the foot of the cross, and claim our new identity in Christ.

Cherished. Healed. Gifted. Whole. Clean. Approved. Beloved.

Christ wants to give you a new name. If you’ve accepted the gift of his forgiveness, given your life over to him, you’ve already received it. But are you willing to live in it, to answer only to the name grace bestows like a garland on your soul?

For Zion’s sake I will not keep silent, for Jerusalem’s sake I will not remain quiet, till her vindication shines out like the dawn, her salvation like a blazing torch. The nations will see your vindication, and all kings your glory; you will be called by a new name that the mouth of the LORD will bestow. You will be a crown of splendor in the LORD’s hand, a royal diadem in the hand of your God. No longer will they call you Deserted, or name your land Desolate. But you will be called Hephzibah, and your land Beulah; for the LORD will take delight in you, and your land will be married. As a young man marries a young woman, so will your Builder marry you; as a bridegroom rejoices over his bride, so will your God rejoice over you. -Isaiah 62:1-5