S. Janet Gildea reflects…
What does God’s call sound like in your life today? It is an interesting question with a unique answer at each moment of life. Maybe one of these examples will resonate with your experience.
For Samuel, the call startled him awake in the night (1Samuel 3:1-18).
It was not what he first supposed it to be – a call from the priest, Eli, in whose service he ministered. Although initially confused, with Eli’s help Samuel was able to recognize the call of God and be receptive to it. “Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.”
For Moses, the call flamed out of a burning bush (Exodus 3:2). It fascinated him! How can it be that the bush is burning but not consumed by the fire? God’s call can bring such wonderings. It can excite and stir up a passion to give oneself completely, but not without a tinge of fear that it will be all-consuming.
Elijah was a man on the run, escaping into the desert and ready to give up
on the call. But as they say, “You can run but you can’t hide!” God found him, giving him strength to keep on keeping on for another 40 days and 40 nights (1Kings 19:3-15). Then, from his hideout in a cave on Mount Horeb, he heard God’s voice, “What are you doing here?” He was given further instructions to go stand at the mouth of the cave … and wait. Is that where you are, afraid of those “further instructions”? You might, like Elijah, be anticipating a turbulent wind, or an earthquake, or fire. Maybe you will only recognize God’s call if you can be still enough to hear the “light, silent sound.”
There are as many experiences of call as there are unique human stories.
God knows the exact tone each heart can hear. One thing is certain; God’s call is nothing to fear. Even when it comes with a jolt, the call has a built-in feature that quiets the anxious heart. It is love which infuses the call that allows us to recognize it. The Love who calls us by name is so familiar, so much our very essence that we want to respond with complete trust and surrender.
What does the call sound like in your life today? Find time to listen.
Complete Newsletter July_evoc 2013