Reflection
By Susan M. Lang
God calls us F
or 11 years I published an electronic newsletter, “The RevWriter Resource.” I always had a second pair of eyes review it before it was sent out. After proofreading a number of issues, one friend finally inquired: “I notice you use the phrase ‘God calls us’ a lot. How in the world can God call us? How does that work?”
How indeed? I’m a believer that God is always present with us and speaking to us whether it be through the rush of the
wind, the stars in the sky, or the voice of a friend or stranger. Unfortunately, we don’t always notice God’s presence and call. But when we do, something is stirred up within us. It’s taken me years to be more attentive to God’s call in my life—mostly because I tend to get busy with the
daily details of life and stop paying attention. Recently I’ve come up with what I call my trinitarian formula for discernment. The first time something is presented to me, I take note. If it happens a second time, I stop and wonder what is being revealed. A third time and I really pay attention. Repetition is meaningful because it indicates something is indeed being stirred
up and I need to take notice. Where is God calling you in your life? What are the things you can’t shake off?
What is being stirred up inside of you? What are the repetitive patterns in your daily living that are calling you to be or to do something different? Listen, God is indeed calling, calling you and me.
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www.thelutheran.org
Author bio: Lang is an ELCA pastor who serves ecumenically as a leadership retreat facilitator and church consultant in Perkasie, Pa. (www.
revwriter.com).
ISTOCK/BANET12
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