The
thumb and pinky finger extended of a hand held near the ear has become come a
gesture meaning “Call me.” I
have seen this signal many times, both directed to me and to others.
Part of my duties at work is to cover the receptionist’s
lunch break. The other day I was informed by the lead receptionist that one of
the managers was awaiting an important telephone call. I was to put the caller
on hold and contact her via the radio to make sure she received the call.
Have you ever spent time waiting for a call from a good
friend? You may have avoided some other activity to be sure to receive
the call. There is an excitement in the initial anticipation. As time passes, a
bit of longing creeps in. Impatience and finally frustration may follow when a
call is delayed.
We are often waiting for calls. Some are for needed
information and others just to talk to someone we care about. Until the call
comes, we wait.
Scripture tells us that the Lord is waiting for His
people to call out to Him. “And therefore the Lord [earnestly] waits [expecting,
looking, and longing] to be gracious to you; and therefore He lifts Himself up,
that He may have mercy on you and show loving-kindness to you.” (Isaiah
30:18a AMP) God
is waiting for us with excitement, anticipation and longing. It is His desire
that we do not delay, yet His patience is inexhaustible. His heart is full of
enduring love. Like the father of the prodigal son, (See Luke 15:11-32) He
waits and watches planning the first words to express His love to His child.
Why do we keep God waiting for our call to come?
If we have sinned and fear approaching Him, we can be
sure that the Father is patient and forgiving. “For
You, O Lord, are good, and ready to forgive [our trespasses, sending them away,
letting them go completely and forever]; and You are abundant in mercy
and loving-kindness to all those who call upon You.” (Psalm 86:5 AMP) His
mercy is abundant. “The
Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and plenteous in mercy and loving-kindness.” (Psalm 103:8 AMP)
If we feel that we do not want to waste the Lord’s time,
we need to remember that He has called us each a masterpiece. “For
we are God’s [own] handiwork (His workmanship), recreated in Christ Jesus,
[born anew]” (Ephesians
2:10a AMP) He also calls us His precious children. “See what [an incredible] quality of love the Father has
given (shown, bestowed on) us, that we should [be permitted to] be named and called and counted the children of God! And so we
are! The reason that the world does not know (recognize, acknowledge) us is
that it does not know (recognize, acknowledge) Him.” (1 John 3:1 AMP)
If we
are busy with other things we need to remember the words Jesus spoke to Martha. "But
the Lord replied to her by saying, Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled
about many things; There is need of only one or but a
few things. Mary has chosen the good portion [that which is to her advantage],
which shall not be taken away from her.” (Luke 10:41-42 AMP) Whatever we consider worth our time
more than Jesus is a mistaken and unnecessary distraction.
And
if our hearts have gone cold we must, like the church at Ephesus, return to our
first love. “But I have this [one charge to make] against you: that you
have left (abandoned) the love that you had at first [you have deserted Me,
your first love]. Remember then from what heights you have fallen. Repent (change the
inner man to meet God’s will) and do the works you did previously [when first
you knew the Lord]” (Revelation 2:4-5a AMP) Contemplate the things God has done in
the past and hurry back to Him.
If you
have never given your heart to God, do not delay. “Seek, inquire for, and require
the Lord while He may be found [claiming Him by necessity and by right]; call
upon Him while He is near. Let
the wicked forsake his way and the unrighteous man his thoughts; and let him
return to the Lord, and He will have love, pity,
and mercy
for him, and to our God, for He will multiply to him His abundant pardon.” (Isaiah 55:6-7 AMP)
So what are we waiting for? Delay no longer. Give God a call
today! He is waiting for your call.
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