God Calls Us (2) God Calls Us By Name

Epiphany 2
“We are God’s beloved”. This is our deepest identity. But this is only the beginning of the story. God takes this vast expansive love, as broad as the midday sun, and narrows it into a beam of light, shining within a human life in uniquely personal ways. Our awakening to that light is the next bit of the story.

In 1 Samuel 3:1-10, Samuel is waking up slowly to the presence of God calling him, singularly and personally, by name. At first, Samuel assumes the voice belongs to Eli, the priest who has raised him since he was brought to the temple by his mother, Hannah. After a few times, Eli suggests an alternate possibility: the voice MIGHT be God. Even though no one had heard the voice of God or received a vision from God for a long long time, Eli was open to the possibility that this MIGHT be of God.

So, Eli gives Samuel this beautiful piece of advice. He suggests that Samuel be open to possibility too. In other words, be open to the possibility that this thing happening in your life might just be of God. 
Then he suggests that Samuel get curious. If he hears the voice again, says, “Speak Lord. Speak. I am listening.” He suggests that Samuel simply cultivates space to listen, to see if indeed God might have something to say.

The revelation of God and our awareness and response to this revelation is a relational dynamic that ebbs and flows throughout the course of our life. When we gather on Sunday, we are making room for one another on this ever evolving journey. What might God be doing among us? What might God be doing in each other, even if it looks differently?

It’s like walking the labyrinth, together. Sometimes it might appear we are walking in different directions. Sometimes it appears like we are lost. Despite what we might feel, the way of the labyrinth holds us secure. We find our way to the centre.

As we respond with curiosity, trust, and openness, as we keep walking, the way opens up in us. New possibilities, new twists and turns, new directions, new callings, new perspectives emerge. This is a repeating pattern within the Bible. It is a repeating pattern in our lives. 

Deep peace and blessing, 

—Anne

Rev. Anne Baxter Smith
Pastor, The Church at Southpoint