Greetings all and happy Sabbath!  Just a reminder that Columbia and Hickory will have 10:30 AM services tomorrow followed by a potluck.  Services in Charlotte will be at 2:30 PM, followed by our annual Men’s Chili Cook-off.  May the best chili win!

Ring, ring!

It’s funny how life changes over time.  For most of use, we remember the classic ‘ring’ of the telephone.  It got everyone’s attention and life often came to a stand still for a moment while everyone ran for the phone to see who it was.  This was especially true in our house on a Friday night, when my brother, sister and I all liked to call, or receive calls from friends.

Things are much different today.  Most people don’t have a landline, and when their phone rings, it’s typically in their pocket, notifying them with a silent buzz.  If you happen to be in the other room when someone receives a call, you might just hear them starting a conversation seemingly out of nowhere.  Years ago, this would have seemed odd to our ears, which had been trained for the audible alert of a wall-mounted phone.

A different type of calling

While we could all swap stories of how communication was so much different in the dark ages (or as some people call it, the 1980’s).  But it would be good to think about another type of calling as well.

We of course have a calling as firstfruits.  Those God is working with now to be prepared to serve along Jesus Christ at his return.  And while God does the calling (John 6:44), we bear a responsibility as well.  You and I must call on God!

Call on the Lord

“Seek the Lord while He may be found, call upon Him while He is near,” (Isaiah 55:6 NKJV).  Scripture is clear on this point: You and I should call on God.

Most of us would love nothing more than to be able to pick up the phone (corded or cellular) and dial God's number to have a conversation.  Of course, it doesn’t work quite that way, but that doesn’t mean we can’t call on Him. Through prayer, study and living our lives as He guides us, you and I can - and should - call on God every day!