No Longer Unwanted

No Longer Unwanted

Many Indian girls are named Nakushi (meaning unwanted) because many Indian parents hope for a baby boy. Local Indian superstitions say that if parents name their daughter Nakushi, they will reverse the “girl curse” and improve their odds for a boy the next time.

This is sad. Being named unwanted implies these precious girls have been labeled with parental disappointment since their birth. Each time they hear their name, they are reminded that Dad and Mom wished they had been someone else. No wonder more than 200 young women changed their names to one of their choosing when the Indian government gave permission in 2001!

WE ALL NEED A NAME CHANGE

People may call us a lot of things: hypochondriacs, chronic whiners, losers, dumb, ugly, stupid, old, uncool, or even worthless. We may face chronic illnesses or diseases that others label with dismissive and demeaning words. Satan tries to accuse and shame us before God (Revelation 12:10). We even degrade ourselves when we look in the mirror and turn away in disgust over what we see. 

All these incidents may scream Nakushi in our faces. Who we are, how we look, what we’ve done, and maybe even how we’ve been diagnosed can make us feel undesirable and disposable. It can seem that others don’t want us, that we don’t want ourselves, and that God couldn’t possibly want us.

However, God says: You shall be a crown of glory in the hand of the LORD and a royal diadem in the hand of your God. You shall no more be termed “Forsaken” …, but you shall be called “My Delight Is in Her…” for the LORD delights in you…and as the bridegroom rejoices over the bride, so shall your God rejoice over you. (Isaiah 62:3–5, paraphrased)

God’s people received a wonderful name change. They were Forsaken no more—and in the surest and most secure sense, they became the very Delight of God. Similarly, God tells Israel that he would show mercy to those named No Mercy and that those named Not My People would instead be called You Are My People (Hosea 1:6; 2:23).

HOW JESUS CHANGES OUR NAME

Peter reminds redeemed sinners like you and me that we have had name changes just like Israel (1 Peter 1:14, 16). We who were Not a People are now God’s People. We who had not received mercy now have received it. In fact, we are now a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s cherished possession! (I Peter 2:9-10)

This is the wonderful power of the gospel: in Christ, we are no longer Nakushi. We are no longer Desolate or Forsaken or No People. Instead, God says: You are “My People” and “My Delight Is in You.” His new name for us is The Bride of Christ, for He rejoices over us in love—and being His chosen and cherished, we need not feel forgotten, forsaken, unwanted, or unloved any longer.

CAN THIS BE TRUE? 

Our feelings of forsakenness don’t loosen their grip readily. Guilty fears, a doctor’s diagnosis, and the mirror’s image may mock any hope that we are wanted and make us doubt it all. 

This is what the Lord says: I have called you by name; you are Mine! (Isaiah 43:1) We are precious…honored…loved. Through Christ’s sin-atoning, shame-erasing, death-defeating, name-changing work, we are no longer Forsaken but My Delight.

Lord, how do I know this is true?

I am the LORD your God and Savior…You are precious and honored in my sight. I love you (Isaiah 43:3a, 4)…and I have called you by my name (Isaiah 43:6-7). 

NAKUSHI NO MORE

The promise of a name change is God’s wonderful word for us all. No matter 

• our current feelings,
• how deep the waters of our life’s disappointments, diseases, desertions, and diagnoses, 
• how lonely our dreary nights,  
• how guilt-stricken our conscience, or 
• how chronic our condition,

…God loves us with joy-filled affection. He delights over us. With a bridegroom’s singing pleasure, he renames us with His love (Zephaniah 3:17–20). I hope we all will know this more deeply with each new day: we are Nakushi no more—and in Christ, we never will be again!

PRAYER

Father in Heaven, pierce the night of our deepest gloom with rays of chronic joy! Show us that no matter how forsaken or worthless we may feel, You love, honor, and treasure us. 

We are so grateful that You changed and secured our identity in Jesus. Thank You for proclaiming Your love for us by giving us a new name. Thank You that even though we once were lost, we are now found, that even though we once felt forsaken and alone, we are now chosen and beloved. In Jesus’ name, amen.

INVITATION

For more inspiration and comfort, check out Chronic Joy’s printable: Infinite Worth: We Are the Work of His Hand. It will help you to know (and delight in!) who you are in the eyes and heart of God.

QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION

• Have you ever felt unwanted? Has this post helped you realize how precious you are to God? How?
• After rereading this post, take note of the names God gives to his people: My Delight, My Chosen, My Beloved, and My Bride. Thank Him for changing your identity and then ask Him to strengthen your faith in His amazing love. 
• If you have ever felt unwanted, what have you done to overcome that feeling? 
• Would you like to talk with someone about your identity in Jesus (your pastor, a good friend, your spouse/sibling)?