Calling

The word calling brings back an instant memory for me.  As a child I loved to play outside.  I am probably dating myself, but I loved playing hopscotch, roller skating, and other silly games with my friends.  Of course, my mom would always call me to come inside for dinner.  Many times, I knew she had to call me more than once because I would get distracted and didn’t want to leave my friends.  So, you probably know where this is going, right?  How many times do we get distracted by work, leisure time and just life in general?  You and I may hear Him calling us, but we push that calling in the background and continue on with life.  “I’ll come after I finish cleaning.”  “I’ll sit down with you after I get the kids to bed.”  “I promise, Jesus, I will set aside more time for just you and me tomorrow.”  I truly can hear Him calling, even right now, feeling the gentle tugging of His spirit to come to Him.  Then when I finally do listen, putting aside the distractions of the day and sit with Jesus, I am rewarded with a feeling that only He can bring to my soul.  I ask myself (and Him), “Why didn’t I come when you called me before?”  Just like when my mother called me to dinner, we all get distracted and think that Jesus will be there when we are ready.  Of course, He IS always there, but Jesus is also looking for our full attention now, not just when we think we are ready or when it’s convenient.  Responding to His call also reminds me that dealing with all of life’s distractions is so much easier, and much more joyful, when I keep Him by my side and take the time to enjoy his company.  It’s also a time to discern His desires for us.  As with our mothers, He knows our needs, and his gentle calling to our heart is our time to stop and make Jesus our priority.  When was the last time you felt Jesus calling you to spend a little more time with him?  Stop right now, turn off the distractions, be quiet.  Clear your mind and focus only on the beating of your heart.  Be aware of your breathing.  Focus on Jesus’ name, speak it in your mind, while continuing to breathe slowly in and then out.  Listen, He’s calling you.  He’s there waiting for you.  Yes, He’s waiting for you!

“A third time the Lord called, “Samuel!”  And Samuel got up and went to Eli and said, “Here I am; you called me.”  Then Eli realized that the Lord was calling the boy.  So Eli told Samuel, “Go and lie down, and if he calls you, say, ‘Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.”  1 Samuel 3:8-9