Dave spoke this morning from John 1:43-51 on the call of God. We are all used to annoying ‘nuisance’ calls these days from people trying to sell us goods or persuade us to apply for claims, and so often, we learn to ignore such calls and fail to respond to them. The danger is that we can learn to ignore God’s call to us, perhaps because we do not recognise the ways He speaks to us or because we are unwilling to believe He actually does call to us.
The call of Samuel (1 Sam 3) shows us plainly that hearing the voice of God is something we have to learn; initially, Samuel thought that Eli was calling him and had to be taught to wait on God to hear more clearly. God often speaks to us gently and subtly, in ways we might perhaps think can be ‘explained away’, but there is power in His words. In this passage in John 1:43-51, we see Jesus finding Philip and Nathaniel, seeking followers and calling to them. Nathaniel is initially hesitant, not expecting anything good to come from Nazareth, but ultimately he is grateful for his friend’s words and for how Jesus calls him.
God can speak to us through other people and through His word. His call is personal; He is still seeking followers and worshippers, just as He sought Philip and Nathaniel. He may speak to us in different ways: through dreams, through people, through colleagues, through the Bible and through prayer, but we need to be people who listen for His still, small voice. This requires a slowing down and patient listening, judging what we hear by the Word of God. When we hear God speak, we need to be quick to do what He says and then we will experience the power in God’s words.