I have been renamed.
No. I actually have. In Hmar.
We are living amongst the Hmar tribe in India. I have made some lifelong friends out of our contacts here. These are the people providing meals and transportation for us and AUTHENTIC INDIAN CHAI TEA EVERY MORNING (praise God from whom all blessings flow). Because there’s absolutely no other way to put it, these are the most selfless people I’ve ever met. Apart from being with us 24/7, they invite us into their homes, they go with us to the market, and they tell us stories of what life is like in India as we venture to live the stories out.
I am convinced that one of the reasons God sent me to India was to meet these people. They have become family. Stanley, Dara, Hazel, James, and Abraham: you are the best.
Dara has provided Hmar names for anyone who has asked him to. My team and I have practiced Hmar dialect for the past week. There is not much I can say, BUT I have mastered my new Hmar name.
My name is Lalruotmawi (sounds like lul root moy). This name means “God’s chosen one.”
This has been on my heart so much, reader. You have been renamed. You are Lalruotmawi. You are God’s chosen one.
India is a place of such paradoxical beauty. Trash lined streets are filled with people in vibrant colored linens. Humble hearts are hungry for God and willing to give and serve, even when what they are willing to give isn’t much. Mountains outline the horizon and clouds cover the peaks, making their presence impossible to ignore.
I have found myself enamored by the scenery of Manipur, India. And I have questioned many times, how can a place that is so dirty be so beautiful?
Then God did what He always does. He humbled me with His answer.
Daughter, have you forgotten so soon? You were broken, and I made you beautiful. I have taken the trash lined streets in your life and have filled them with vibrant colors. MY colors. I make dirty things beautiful all the time. And things you view as broken and dirty and ugly, I view as unfinished. I make ALL things beautiful in my timing.
Friends–do you believe that the dirt in your life has been made clean? Do you believe that He took the time to choose you, not because He had to but because He wanted to?
“As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.” (1 Peter 2:4-5)
He chose you.
Even when you were dirty.
Even when you had trash in your life.
Even though you still do.
And he is enamored by you.
I encourage you to embrace the Father who is so desperate for you. Embrace your new name.
“But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for HIS OWN POSSESSION, that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who called you OUT OF THE DARKNESS AND INTO HIS MARVELOUS LIGHT.”
!!!!!!!!!
You are chosen, Lalruotmawi. Out of darkness, into marvelous light.
With all my love,
Lalruotmawi
(Emma)
