John 20:10-18
Back in John 10 we read that the Good Shepherd knows his sheep and the sheep know his voice. This moving episode connects knowing Jesus’ voice with his speaking our name. Last time I wrote I talked about experiencing the risen Lord as the determining factor in coming to faith, but that there are as many ways of coming to that experience as there are people.
I admit some speculation here, but I like to think that when Jesus speaks your name to call you to be part of his mission (faith is not the goal in itself), he considers very much who you are. That of course has everything to do with what the nature of your ministry and mission will be, as part of his overall plan. Why would that consideration of who you are not also apply to how you are called to faith, as the beginning of that venture? If want to hear him, but haven’t, it may be you are expecting something like what other people have experienced.
Prayer:
Wonderful God, thank you that you see us and value us each as individuals. You call us into community with you and others, and that community is all the stronger and all the more beautiful and powerful in the world, because you take seriously our individual experience and character. Let us encourage one another accordingly. Through Christ. Amen.
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3 comments:
And when it's a fish, you know.
There's a field out behind the Mall, and I'll go there to talk to God. But lately, I haven't because I've been running in circles. I get so dizzy that when I'm alone and out of breath, all i can think of is the Lord's Prayer. He can decipher my jumble of thoughts that fall at the end. They often become clearer in fact. I don't think the way I experience Christ and the Holy Spirit would work for everyone. I've been accused of / described as intellectual and analytical; but the way He speaks to me is anything but.
when the callc came for me, i was tring to connect the vastness of creation with the minuteness of my consciousness. jesus is the bridge that unites all of creation. i took an analytical approach, too, but my experience was just the same, different than katrina's.
furthermore, it's too simple to classify it as an intellectual or analytical approach. there's a lot of emotion tied up, the whole of my being.
finally, i agree with jim, that how i'm called to faith has something to do with the beginning of my adventure in mission.
JIm...... *voice echoes back*
Pladage, has he gone?
Just vacationing? Or vacating?
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