Thoughts for the Day

Now the word of the Lord came to me saying,

‘Before I formed you in the womb I knew you,
and before you were born I consecrated you;
I appointed you a prophet to the nations.’

Then I said, ‘Ah, Lord God! Truly I do not know how to speak, for I am only a boy.’ But the Lord said to me,

‘Do not say, “I am only a boy”;
for you shall go to all to whom I send you,
and you shall speak whatever I command you.
Do not be afraid of them,
for I am with you to deliver you,
says the Lord.’

Thoughts

In 1969 my husband and I gave 'Oggie' a deaf albino dalmation a home. She was quite mad. She would lie in front of an electric fire with the tip of her tail virtually in the fire and looked puzzled when she smelt something being scorched. With dozens of teenagers in and out of the house from our large church choir, she would escape if the gate wasn't latched. But it was no good calling her for she couldn't hear. However, she would look back periodically, notice we wanted her, and then purposefully run off in the opposite direction. A couple of times there were calls from the Station Commander that went "Get your dog off my airfield" and it would take a load of treats to get her back home.

Sunday's readings are all about being called: Jonah ignores God's call, until he needs help, when he calls God (Jonah 1-2); Jesus calls a crippled woman to him and heals her (Luke 13.10-13); and in Jeremiah, above, we see God's initial call to the prophet who is at first doubtful about God's wishes.

The question for us is, how do we respond to God's call - for He constantly calls us? Are we like:

• Oggie - realise God is calling, but prefer to go our own way?
• Jeremiah - hear God calling us, have doubts, but finally step forward in faith?
• Jonah - ignore God's call, until we need help, and then call God?
• The woman - who hears the call from Jesus and responds immediately in faith?

Lord God Almighty,
creator of all things
and ruler of the universe,
we thank You that You have called us
to be Your children.
Today may we hear Your call,
and respond in faith,
knowing that You have our good at heart.
May we put our doubts at rest,
keep in daily contact,
and step forward confidently.
Amen.