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January 12, 2025
Called Out
by Marnie K Vasquez
I’m standing in anticipation, fist clenched, head down, eyes tightly closed. I hear a variety of names called, but not mine. I keep quietly muttering, “please, please, please…please call my name.” More names are called, but still, not mine. And then, the voice calls my name. Yes, mine. I open my eyes, look up and beam. I did it!
The voice pauses. Then over the loudspeaker the voice shares incredible, wonderful things about me. Me! I can’t believe all the generous, amazing things the voice says. I’m over the moon and standing on Cloud 9. That’s me the voice is talking about!
Based on what the voice shared, I know I got selected to be in the “top group”. I’m excited to see what my experience will be. The voice’s associates take me to a room, and I’m giddy with expectation barely able to contain myself.
I peer around, my heart racing. I see things I’m not expecting. I refocus my eyes, keep searching and scanning the room. Still, what I see does not equate to something someone in the “top group” should see. There are few people like me and a whole lot of people NOT like me. Older, younger, taller, shorter, more sophisticated, less sophisticated, people from the big city, people who live on islands. Also, the activities assigned to this group do not equate to a “top group” activities’ list. How did I get in this group? And with these activities?
None of this makes sense. Clearly, I need to discuss this with the voice because somehow the voice’s associates put me in the wrong group and room. I begin to go look for the voice when the voice walks into the room and turns on a microphone.
“Look around, I have chosen each one of you. I love each of you deeply. I gave up my life so you could have yours. Keep looking around. These are the people I’ve chosen for you to lock arms with. At this moment in time. In this place. In these surroundings. In this way. Together. Together you have collective strengths, gifts, experiences that will help strengthen, encourage, and challenge one another. You will be each other’s greatest allies, greatest help, bestest of friends, and so much more. Why? You all have me in common. I’m the secret sauce. I’m the way, and the truth. Be together because I have chosen you together. Be my church.”
I’m taken aback. I didn’t expect this, but what the voice said was even better. It reset my focus and expectations. First, I need to remember the voice, Jesus, called me out. Me!!! I’m on his list! He considers me his daughter. And all these other people my brothers and sisters who he wants me to live alongside. This speaks volumes.
Second, Jesus has chosen me, at this time, in this place, with all of you for a reason and a purpose. He calls us his church. And I want to be part of his church! And instead of getting caught up in the who and where we’re placed together, what traditions we do or don’t do, let’s trust Jesus has this. And let’s get busy being the church Jesus intended us to be.
Looking forward to living beside all of you this year, I hope you are too.
You can watch the January 12 message HERE.
21 Days of Prayer:
Each day this week we will pray using the Lord’s Prayer as a model. Follow the prompts below to focus your prayer time. Consider starting a note in your phone or journal, jotting down your prayer and observation of what God does.
[Monday, January 13]
Matthew 6:9-13, Psalm 100:1-5
“Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.”
Begin your prayer time with worship and praise, thanking God for who he is (or has been) to you. What names or descriptions of God come to mind for you?
[Tuesday, January 14]
Matthew 6:9-13, 1 John 5:14-15
“Your kingdom come; your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.”
Set your priorities for the day, focusing on the things in your world that disturb you, or that you can invite God into. Can you approach God with confidence? Why or why not? How might you increase the confidence with which you invite God into your life? Today, specifically, focus on trusting that God hears you. Jot down anything that happens that offers you proof of his presence.
[Wednesday, January 15]
Matthew 6:9-13, Philippians 4:6, Colossians 4:2, Matthew 6:34
“Give us today our daily bread.”
Present your needs to God. Be specific. Take note of what you ask for. Practice watching for God’s responses. Take time throughout your day to give thanks for any answers you receive. What do you notice today about your focus and your level of anxiousness?
[Thursday, January 16]
Matthew 6:9-13, Psalm 139:23-24, Psalm 103:2-3, Matthew 6:14-15
“Forgive us our sins as we also have forgiven those who sin against us.”
Invite God to search your heart, and make you aware of places you have turned from him or pushed him away. Make your confessions to him, and invite him into your day. Invite him to help you encounter those who cross you or offend you with a posture of grace and forgiveness. How has this day felt as you begin and end it with a clear heart and spirit toward God?
[Friday, January 17]
Matthew 6:9-13, Romans 8:14, Luke 22:31-32
“And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.”
Pray to be led by God today, to sense his presence as you go about your day and interact with others. When something rises that is hard, invite God into your response. When you feel tempted to do something that is against your best interests or the heart of God, invite him to help you choose a different way. As you close the week, look back through your notes and observe what has changed in your relationship with God. How can you take these learnings into next week?
{extra journey resources}
CLICK HERE to visit The Bible Project site and explore their super simple, super informative Bible videos (and other resources). You can also download The Bible Project App HERE.
CLICK HERE to get the Read Scripture App, from our friends at The Bible Project.
CLICK HERE for more on how to use the observe-reflect-apply approach to getting the most out of your Bible reading.
The Bible App Get the free YouVersion Bible for your phone, tablet, or computer. Experience the Bible anywhere, with options to highlight, save notes, and share what you are reading with others.
The Bible App For Kids YouVersion partnered with OneHope to develop the Bible App for Kids, designing it specifically to engage children with Bible stories on an age-appropriate level. The Bible App for Kids is a free app for Android, Apple, and Kindle devices, available in over 60 languages.
Bible Gateway Provides advanced Bible searching capabilities, which allow readers to find passages in scripture based on keywords, phrases, or scripture reference.
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