It’s been a long journey, and God keeps throwing curveballs. I was convinced I’d use the name Al I. Ady until the day I died, but that’s not because God told me this. If you haven’t read why that name came about, it’s a really interesting God-inspired story that you should check out by clicking here: The Beginning of a Long Journey. Now I’m moving on to new places as God leads, and to do so he’s given me a new name: Philip Wilder.
Goodbye Al I. Ady
It’s sad to see the old pen name go. It means so much to me and the story behind it is a constant reminder that God is the one setting me on this journey. This old name will never leave me, as it’s still my personal pledge to God. I’ll keep using it in my journal to remind myself how far God has brought me and how good he is. It will forever be my pledge to God that “all I am, all I do, is all for you.”
However, sometimes God humbles us and asks us to take a strategic step back so we can run further and faster. No one understood my old name. No one wanted to call me by it. And, I’m even embarrassed to introduce myself as Al I. Ady. Many people suggested I change my name to something more memorable. I wondered if I’d be rebelling from God to leave behind the name I believe he gave me.
I didn’t want to leave the old name behind, but gradually I started to see that this name was holding back the writing God is choosing to do through me. Fewer people read the inspiration God gives me. So, I had to humble myself and turn to God. I had to ask God “What do I need to do or sacrifice to make this dream you’ve given me come to life?” And so, God laid it on my heart to let go of this name.
The Making of Philip Wilder
I pick a word each to symbolize how I want to challenge and push myself. Last year (2018), my word was brave. I wanted to be brave in my decisions, brave in my walk with God, and brave in how I share the gospel. This year (2019), I chose the word wild. I wanted to live wild. Unchained to the rules and norms of the world, and wildly living a God-lead life. I wanted to love others in wild unrestrained ways. I wanted nonbelievers to see that my life was different. My goal is to operate off of a different set of norms and expectations that aren’t conformed to society but rather based on God’s will.
As the year progressed, I saw the word wild pop up in my life time and time again. I also loved the adventurous spirit that came from this word. It made me feel like a free man.
As I was brainstorming through names (Philip Wilder was already one of my ideas), my girlfriend was talking to me about what she was reading in Acts. She said “I like reading about how Paul lived his life. He was wild. Not like animal wild, but your definition of wild.” This comment sold me on the name.
Check out Merriam Websters’ definition of wild here. Yes, wild can be a bad thing. I don’t mean wild in a ruthless, criminal, or lacking self-control sort of way. I mean wild in the way that I don’t conform to society’s norms of apathy, of being afraid of what others think, of chasing after worldly passions, desires, or goals, and of distrusting God’s promise to provide for my needs as I follow him.
Live Wilder
I’m not the best at this yet, but I want to grow. I know God promises great things to those who joyfully follow him into wild-living, and I don’t to be satisfied with anything less. These promises include love, joy, peace, a fruitful life, seeing lots of changed lives, and a closer relationship with God. I want the same for all of you too! So let’s encourage each other in this. Let’s fight toward this meaningful life together! Let’s live wilder!
