Call on Jesus!

“The Lord possessed me at the beginning of his work…
I was beside him, like a master workman,..
rejoicing in his inhabited world
and delighting in the children of man.” Proverbs 8:22,30-31

“An angel of the Lord appeared to him.., saying,.. She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.’” Matthew 1:20-21

“A blind man… cried out, ‘Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!’ And Jesus stopped and commanded him to be brought to him. And when he came near, he asked him, ‘What do you want me to do for you?’ He said, ‘Lord, let me recover my sight.^’ And Jesus said to him, ‘Recover your sight; your faith has made you well.^’ And immediately he recovered his sight and followed him, glorifying God.” Luke 18:35,38,40-43

“Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.” “Let it be known to all of you… that by the name of Jesus Christ.., whom God raised from the dead—by him this man is standing before you well. There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” “And now why do you wait? Rise and be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on his name.’” Joel 2:32; Acts 4:10,12; 22:16

“Being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.  Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,  and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.” Philippians 2:8-11

Like a strand of dark beads blown in slow motion against the pale, a long string of birds soared. Swooping and dipping in the early sky, all fly in the same direction in the current of new light. As though by some irresistible, invisible pull, they follow a silent call.

We enter our days in varying positions, fueled by differing strengths, pressed or held by different circumstances. Whatever our place or pressure, we remain intact and moving forward if we yield to the draw of Jesus. He gives loft, He steers rightly, He sustains if we call on His name.

Are we struggling with identity, wondering where we belong and what’s our purpose this season of life? Call on Jesus! He’s made us in His image and will conform us to it. (Genesis 1:26; Romans 8:29)

Are we desperate for impossible wisdom for crushing decisions? Call on Jesus! Are we needy for comfort once those decisions are made, and strength to go on in hope? Call on Jesus! (James 1:5)

Are we distant from family, forgotten by friends, without community? Call on Jesus! His Spirit abides with us forever. (Matthew 28:20; John 14:16; 2 Corinthians 1:21-22)

Are we spiritually lost? Needing healing of mind, soul, or body? Call on Jesus! He stands to save and restore. (Hebrews 7:25)

“Be Thou my Vision, O Lord of my heart;
naught be all else to me, save that Thou art;
Thou my best thought by day or by night,
waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light.” ~Mary Byrne (1880-1931)

Amen, Jesus!