It has been a few years since I sent out an email declaring my name change. For many it seems weird because for the first 43 years of my life I've been Mike. My mother named me James Michael Mozley, though I don't recall her ever telling me why. When I was young she would say she loved the name James and she was going to call me that but of course I was always Mike so I protested strongly and she succumbed to my wishes. For most of my life people have only known me as Mike Mozley, even though in high school I think the preferential name was just Mozley.
In the winter of 2005 I was back in the States and traveling like mad all over the Southeast speaking in churches and as Jackson Brown says, "I was running on empty." So I went to see a friend and we began to ask God what was going on and of course God responded. Here is what he said in a nutshell...."Michael, I want every stone of your life overturned. I want nothing hidden, no secrets, no hidden motives, no dark places and I want to be back in your name." So as I thought about it, there was something cathartic about hearing the name Michael and it spoke deep within me every time I heard it. Michael is the Hebrew word which when broken down is Mi-cah-el. And of course EL is the Hebrew word for God. And it means, "Who is like God." I have also been told that it is also a question, "Who is like God?" Because Michael in the Bible is the greatest Archangel, perhaps God was saying, "Who can be like Me?"
So in the winter of 2005, I didn't change my name but God did! So for those of you who have known me as Mike, I'm now Michael. I know it sounds weird to many and if I'm called Mike, I don't ask people to change in public, only if they ask. So instead of going through a mid-life crisis and buying a new sports car, I got a name change and it fits me perfectly.
3 comments:
Michael we love you whatever your name is.Like many we have only ever known you as Mike, but from now on it will be Michael......
Forgive any mistakes in the interim
as it will be hard to break a 17 year habit!!!
Great story! I'll try to call you Michael, but I'll probably still call you chump! :)
Seriously though, your contagious spirit and the way that you approach life with such zeal and passion for God has affected me more than you know. I think often about what a blessing it was for me to hang out with your family in college...even if I was a bonehead most of the time. Thanks for putting up with me and pouring into my life!
Peace brother! BTW, speaking of mid-life crisis, I feel much older discovering that Anna is turning 19 today! That just can't be right, can it??
I call you Big Poppa. What is that Hebrew for?
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