How I Got My Name

I became a Christian in 1995. Since then I really wanted to get baptized, but when I asked my parents, they told me that I had to wait till I was 21 (I was 16+ at that time). I agreed to their request and waited. I turned 21 in November 1999 and I made sure I had attended all the necessary classes so that I could be baptized in December. I also specifically told God that, should either one of my parents ask me what I wanted for my 21st birthday, I would say that I wanted then to come for my baptism ceremony.

Lo and behold, my parents came to Singapore to celebrate my 21st with me, and true to form, my dad asks me, “What would you like for your 21st birthday?” I went completely silent and I was praying really hard for the courage to do my part. I steeled myself and I told him. “I would like you to come for my baptism ceremony.” He said, “Forget about it!” At least I asked and I was really glad that God answered that prayer.

The next issue was whether or not I was going to take up a new name upon baptism. I prayed and I had also asked a good friend, Gina, to pray for a name for me. I went through many, many names just to see which one sounded nice. I believe that the name that God had chosen for me would be one that sounded nice in my ears. I wanted a name that was long, but had a shortened from built into the name in itself, for example: Jon in Jonathan or Hari in Hariharan. After much deliberation, I narrowed it down to three possible names. Joseph Giri, Jacob Giri and Melchizedek Giri. I liked Joseph Giri the best but all three were good to me.

After my birthday, I was spending the vacation at home. One evening, while watching TV with my mum, I passed a comment on a lady actress in a commercial. My mum looked at me, and then said, “Giri, you are a dreamer lah.” When I asked her what she meant by it, she wouldn’t explain. She just said again, “You are a dreamer lah, a dreamer.”

There was to be a baptism service rehearsal on Saturday, 17th December 1999. Unfortunately, I could not get a bus to make the rehearsal. I had to ask for special permission to still carry on with the baptism without the rehearsal. Canon James Wong’s personal assistant, Sharon, called my home and spoke to my mum. My mum relayed the information to me that I could be baptized (which was in itself amazing).Once back on the bus, I suddenly realized that my mother had given the confirmation for my name. I realized then that I was to be named Joseph, after Joseph, son of Israel. He was known as Joseph the Dreamer. I knew then the name that God had selected for me.The name is prophetic I believe. I believe that God has intended to use for to achieve great things for Him.

I was only able to get a bus leaving Klang to JB on the morning of the 18th. When the bus made a stop for a rest break, I called Gina to ask her if she had any revelation. She told me that she is not sure, but she felt that it should be Joseph, but she had heard someone say to her that I didn’t like that name, yet she felt it was possibly the right one. I was glad that she also felt it should be Joseph.

My mother recently (Oct 2004) told me that an astrologer had told her years ago that I would be a great man. I guess he was right, but I have been intended to be great in the service of the Lord of lords and King of kings.

The issue for me is that I have some work to do on my part, some disciplines to adopt before things start to happen.

The baptism went really well. I arrived with about 15 minutes to spare before service started. The only family member that came for my baptism was Shanthi, my cousin. But I have to qualify that I didn’t invite most of my family due to fear. Shanthi got invited when I accidentally sent her the invite by email.

And that’s how I became Joseph Giri Sri Krishnan.