I pray that you are well and that the afterglow of a very successful, though slightly damp, St. David's Fair is warming your heart because it was truly a wonderful day. Thanks to everyone who worked so faithfully to pull it off. I pray, too, that you are settling into some kind of routine that the fall often brings - a routine that includes some time with God and a renewed commitment to your spiritual life at St. David's and throughout the week.

 

One of the most remarkable aspects of the Christian life is that we have a God who is personally and intimately interested in you and me, and in our lives. Sometimes it doesn't make a lot of sense that the Creator of all that is would have the time or inclination to pay attention to people. The creation is so vast and complex, while continuing to expand; we are only tiny parts of all that is. God is God, however, and loves all of creation, including you and me.

 

One of the marks of this personal relationship is that God knows us and calls us by name. All through the Bible there are moments when God calls women and men by name into relationship and into a far greater life than the life they are leading. There's a moving story in the resurrection accounts of that first Easter day, which speaks to God calling us by name. One of his closest followers, Mary (sister of Lazarus), went to the tomb to weep and to better prepare Jesus' body. She found it empty and then went to find some of Jesus' other followers to tell them. After they left, Mary was still crying by the tomb when a man, whom she thought was the gardener, came near. He asked why she was crying and she asked if he had taken the body away. In reply, Jesus simply said her name, "Mary;" and she knew it was the risen Lord.

 

I love that God knows us by name and calls us to follow Him into the life that is really life. The more we turn to live into that life with God, the more easily we hear God call us by name. So say your prayers and hear God call you by name. Come to church on Sundays and get used to the tone of His voice. Offer your love, expecting nothing in return, and remember that's how God loves you. He's calling you today.