Do you remember the childhood feelings of waiting for your name to be called? Maybe your memory conjures up images of standing on a heated blacktop, casually looking unaffected, but inwardly hoping your name would be called as one of the first chosen for the team. Maybe you remember waiting by the phone, fingers crossed, while your teenage heart hoped and prayed for that special someone to call. Perhaps you recollect sitting nervously at a school assembly, listening for your name to be called in recognition of a coveted award.
Yes, indeed, we all want to be chosen. We want to hear our name called. It reminds me of the scene in “Legally Blond” where Reese Witherspoon’s character, Elle Woods (seriously, one of the cutest parts ever, don’t you think?) eagerly scans the list of those chosen to be law student interns for a highly publicized murder trial. When she spots her name, she spins around and shouts out “Me!”
I love that scene. She’s simply verbalizing what we all want. What we all need.
We need for our name to be called. We need to be the one picked. The one chosen. The one who’s special.
This morning I read these simple words:
“In His kindness, God called you to share in his eternal glory by means of Christ Jesus.” (1 Peter 5:10)
Reading these words, a familiar truth became fresh all over again. In His kindness, God called me. He called my name. He reached down His almighty hand and placed it into to mine. He promised to never leave me or forsake me. He forgave all my many, many wrongs. He infused my life with purpose and meaning and mission.
In His kindness, God called your name, too.
It’s almost too much to process, if you really stop and think about it. The God who created the sun, moon and stars above us, and the depth of the sea below us, paused long enough and loved you deep enough to call you.
By name.
Have you responded to His call? If you’re not sure, stop right now and make sure. Don’t wait another minute to place your hand in His. You can know God “by means of Christ Jesus”, which is simply another way to say we come to know God because of what Jesus did for us on the cross—removed the barrier of guilt and shame and sin.
He’s called you.
Call back.
Dear Lord,
Thank you for calling me by name. Thank you that because Jesus died in my place, for my sins, I can know you and have an everlasting relationship with you. Please forgive my sins. Come into my life and make me the kind of person you want me to be. I’m answering your call. Amen.
P.S. Speaking of calling someone by name…the name of the winner of the $25 Starbucks Gift card is Tracy Collings. Tracy, email me with your address to receive your prize. And happy latte!
