Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine.

Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine.

Isaiah 43:1

When God calls a man or woman, he calls them personally

as is evident in the Bible and how God interacted with people.  The Creator walked with Adam in the garden during the cool of the day and called out to him by name after he rebelled. An angel of God spoke to Hagar by name and asked from where she came and to where she was going. God called young Samuel and until he realized it was God. And Jesus spoke to Simon and Andrew and said Come follow me. And through the bright light, Jesus spoke to Saul of Tarsus in the middle of the road.

God speaks to people individually and this relationship is compared with a shepherd and sheep- a relationship that is close, dependent and filled with love. God calls us but the question that is so important is do we answer God’s call Many people read the Bible and know a lot about God but they may not have an intimate relationship with God. In such a relationship we are able to share, identify and surrender our individual weaknesses and we grow in a healthy faith. And this healthy faith will enhance our ability to have compassion for hurt and lost individuals. We will be able to empathize and through this we are able to deepen our relationships. And knowing that our faith is healthy we can restore wandering brothers or sisters and bear one another’s burdens as a way of life.

Healthy faith is a personal experience generated internally through trust in God.And as the faith becomes healthier, the more personal it becomes between believer and God. But first and foremost—the church that reflects Christ’s earthly ministry will encourage people to believe personally in Jesus because God calls us by name.

If we do not believe in a personal God, we are missing out on a relationship that can make life bearable in the bad times and incredible in the good ones. God is not too big to care about each one of us.

God sees us and reads the contents of your heart wherever it might be---He’s big enough God to do that. He’s a personal enough God to do that. He’s a loving enough God to do that. And he cares about you.

REFLECTION:

Have you experienced God calling you? What is the stirring in your heart about? What is the experience of knowing that God loves you and calls you by name mean for you at this moment in your life? Do you respond to God’s call in action?

PRAYER

Holy God we praise you that you call us by name. You know us even before we are born and you never let us go. We praise you for this O God and give thanks that we are in your care always. Even though we may turn away from you, you never let us wander. We belong to you and you will never give up on us. These is so comforting and to know this boosts us as your faithful people

Enable us to respond to your calling to us—so that we may be challenged anew. Amen.

This reflection is based upon ideas of by Stephen Arterburn and Jack Felton More Jesus Less Religion: Moving from Rules to Relationship. Colorado Springs, Co: Waterbrook Press,2000.     Chapter 5