When Simon and Andrew and James and John responded to Jesus’
invitation to follow him, they had no idea what that would mean for them, or
what a blessing they would be for future generation to our time. Before we can
consider responding, we need to hear the call, to be silent and listen. As in
the time of Samuel, the voice of God is not often heard, but that doesn’t mean
that God has given up calling to us. Frequently God’s call is nonverbally
communicated through the pleading eyes of babies and starving, orphaned
children, the hopeless eyes of the elderly and terrified looks of those fleeing
war zones that we see daily. We don’t require words. We have listened to enough
sermons. We know what God wants from us and for us.
If you are unsure of what Christ is calling you to at this
time, you might like to commit to a few minutes of silence each day for a week.
It is likely things will become clearer for you. Put aside the tyranny of the
clock and the floods of words and other noise. It could be that what you are
being called to is a time of resting as Elijah in the cave. You too may be
being called to follow Christ who holds all people in his heart which can be
done anytime anywhere. If you can put into your covenant with Christ, a clause
of commitment to silent attending, there are guaranteed that God’s grace will
be sufficient for the task and there will be many blessings for you and others
from taking the risk.
Rev Julianne Parker
(for full sermon see sermons page)
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