listen God is calling

Thursday May 9^th, Acts 16:  13-14 On the Sabbath, we left the city and went down along the river where we had heard there was to be a prayer meeting. We took our place with the women who had gathered there and talked with them. One woman, Lydia, was from Thyatira and a dealer in expensive textiles, known to be a God-fearing woman. As she listened with intensity to what was being said, the Master gave her a trusting heart—and she believed!  When Paul gets way beyond those boundaries of comfort, what does he find but a community and leaders already waiting for him and for the word of God being preached.  Not only had God prepared Lydia for learning a new thing, God had also prepared Paul for learning a new thing about the kingdom of God.  The next time you feel you are being brave and stepping out with the Gospel, picture in your mind a young child taking their first steps.  It is exciting and scary for the one taking the steps, but there is always someone there calling and encouraging them in love.  So it is with God in this world.  Listen, listen God is calling, through the Word inviting, offering forgiveness, comfort and joy.  Jesus gave his mandate; share the good news that he came to save us and set us free. Let none be forgotten throughout the world in the triune name of God go and baptize. Help us to be faithful, standing steadfast, walking in your precepts, led by your Word.  Listen, listen God is calling, through the Word inviting, offering forgiveness, comfort and joy.  (Listen God is Calling, a Tanzanian traditional hymn translated by Howard Olson, number 712 in “With One Voice”).  God is always out in front calling us on.