The Forerunner Times

"A life journal by Nathan J. Elias, called under God's grace to be His forerunner and restorer for His glory."

The Second Calling
by Nathan J. Elias - 9 February 2007

If you’ve read my previous writings in my blog, you will notice that at times, I grow weary of not getting mature quickly enough and I felt that I was not quite “getting there” at times. Well, thanks to God, everything changes in 2007. Things went so fast, and in this first month only, I have received a lot of things from Him, more than what I received in the whole 2006. But well, each year has its own purpose and story, I guess.

This 2007 began with a commitment to renew my life and grow more spiritually mature for Him. Then suddenly a mission and vision comes to me. It all began with a new name. Elias, which means “forerunner”, one who opens the way before the LORD, much like what John the Baptist did in the New Testament. I am to be the one who open people’s hearts and pave the way so that Jesus can come in there. And I’m doing this not for just anyone, but for GOD, so there comes my name of Jehovah-Elias (God’s forerunner).

I must admit that at first I wondered myself whether I picked that name just to sound cool, or it’s really a name that God wants me to take into my life, along with a purpose, vision and mission that comes along with it. I kept praying for it, and soon, I totally forgot how did I come upon that name and how did I first think of it. What’s inside my mind is only that God wants the name for me and God wants me to do a life of mission for Him, touching other people’s hearts through my sharing and experiences (such as this) and point them to the way of life.

The meaning of forerunner does not only apply to unbelievers. I was also used lately to strengthen and share my life with other believers who are seeking God’s purposes in their lives. God has sent me four people to minister to so far, and I believe not by accident. What those people seek and experience are the same with what I experienced myself, so I can relate quickly with them. So here, I “prepare” them for the right way and true purpose, preparing them to be used for God’s own plan and His highest honor. This might also relate to the second meaning of Elias, which is “restorer”. I restore those who have lost their path and are now seeking for God’s plan. I try to lead them back to God’s path, so that God can use them mightily.

It’s funny to see how God seems to have a three-year cycle in His plans of my life. Back then in 2001, I was baptized without really understanding the true meaning of it. It was a meaningless act of ritual, which my church told me to take only because I was 17 already and by tradition, people in my church are baptized by 17 if they have been there long enough (since Sunday School and so on). Then on 2004, I received my true calling and became truly born-again. God opened my passion for music and arts back then, and it made me understood who He really is and what a Christian life is supposed to be all about. He put people into my life who taught me many things and made me into what I am today.

On 2007, He gave me a new name and a true calling, a new mission and vision of life, that I learned as I was reading the Purpose Driven Life book (and the Cat and Dog theology, which is a good read). I don’t know if He will have something new again for me by 2010, but for now, I’ll just live my life with the purpose He has given me. Touch others day by day with my life, willing to be used in every opportunity and chance that He planned for me. Minister to those people He has sent me by His divine appointment. Become a living testimony, an “open book” for others to read. In short, become a “daily missionary” that can lead others to the true salvation, Jesus Christ.

I also have some other personal missions for Him that I cannot share here at the moment, but if those missions are from God himself, He will open the way and empower me to fulfill it. The three weeks of my return to Indonesia will be partly for that mission. I pray that He will continually find use for me in my life, so that my life can be a life full of service for His own purpose, plan and glory. I will have to daily remember that my life is not my own, but it is His. He shall use it as He see fit, as He knows the best way to bring the best in me out for His glory.

May the name of the LORD be glorified. Amen.