Since we’ve arrived in Guatemala, the World Race leadership team brought to our attention the power of words and the anointing that comes through a name, and that we ought to really consider changing our team name.
At training camp, our team had a powerful experience with the Lord that bonded us together in an amazing way. We chose the name Hot Mess because we saw how messed up we could be, but we also knew how God’s anointed fire could bring us together and use us in ways that were impossible on our own. Still, by keeping that name, we were in a way choosing to live in the past rather than come into the fullness that God has for us. We totally agree with the leadership team in the fact that we are not just a hot mess anymore.
We also saw how most people don’t associate the name “Hot Mess” with what WE know it to mean. We agreed that we wanted people to know what we are about when they hear our name, rather than question how “Hot Mess” fits in with God’s purpose for us. We want people to automatically see who God has chosen us to be, rather than assuming something is seriously wrong with us. 🙂 We have been chosen and anointed to go forth and bear fruit! We have been called to bring the Kingdom of God to the nations! So, with all of that said, we have been praying about a new name for most of this month.
This has been NO small task!
We’ve been all over the place with the name game. I really felt strongly that we didn’t just change our name because leadership said we should. If we changed our name, it should be because God chose a new name for us.
The coolest thing about this process to me was it made me dive into scripture to learn about the meaning of names that God had chosen for people.
There are so many places in the Bible where God gives people a new name. Each time God chose to change someone’s name, it was with the purpose of prophesying a promise over their life!
Abram to Abraham (Genesis 17:4-6) God changed Abram’s name to Abraham, with the promise of making him the father of many nations!
After hours of talking, praying, and debating… formerly known as Hot Mess is now:
REV 217
Pronounced rev two one seven J
Revelation 2:17 reads:
“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will give some of the hidden manna. I will also give him a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to him who receives it.”
REV 217!
.
Here’s a beautiful scripture I ran across regarding our New Name in Christ!
for Jerusalem’s sake I will not remain quiet,
till her righteousness shines out like the dawn,
her salvation like a blazing torch.
and all kings your glory;
you will be called by a new name
that the mouth of the LORD will bestow.
a royal diadem in the hand of your God.
or name your land Desolate.
But you will be called Hephzibah, [b]
and your land Beulah [c] ;
for the LORD will take delight in you,
and your land will be married.
so will your sons [d] marry you;
as a bridegroom rejoices over his bride,
so will your God rejoice over you.
they will never be silent day or night.
You who call on the LORD,
give yourselves no rest,
and makes her the praise of the earth.
and by his mighty arm:
“Never again will I give your grain
as food for your enemies,
and never again will foreigners drink the new wine
for which you have toiled;
and praise the LORD,
and those who gather the grapes will drink it
in the courts of my sanctuary.”
Prepare the way for the people.
Build up, build up the highway!
Remove the stones.
Raise a banner for the nations.
to the ends of the earth:
“Say to the Daughter of Zion,
‘See, your Savior comes!
See, his reward is with him,
and his recompense accompanies him.’ ”
the Redeemed of the LORD;
and you will be called Sought After,
the City No Longer Deserted.
