Have You Been Called?

A week ago, I heard a homily by a deacon of one of the churches that I attend, and I have been thinking about it ever since. It was given in response to the reading from the prophet Samuel, where God calls him in the night, and Samuel responds with one of my favorite prayers and lines:

"Speak Lord. Your servant is listening."

Perhaps none of us have been called in such a dramatic way. But we are all called in many ways, and some of them can be very simple.

For example, you are called:

When you are a witness to someone's story, or pain - and touch someone's hand - or wipe away their tear...

When you selflessly give of your time and your heart...

When you witness an injustice, and decide to correct it, or do something about it - or  seek to educate others about it...

When you decide that your work conflicts with your values and you make the decision to move on...

When you dedicate your time, your effort, or your resources, to helping those in need...

When you decide you are going to make your neighborhood, your community, your country - or better yet - this planet a better place...

When you become a voice for the Voiceless and the disenfranchised...

When you make subtle changes in your life or your behavior to become a better person...

When you commit yourself to a practice: meditation, yoga, joining a prayer group - or carve out time for spiritual reading or nourishing yourself in some life-giving and soulful way...

When you passionately take on the task of making a difference in a matter of social justice...

When you set boundaries for yourself...

When you decide that embodying compassion is one of life's greatest tasks and there is no greater love than reaching out to others...

When you take the time to listen - truly and deeply to the gentlest stirrings within your heart...

You have been called by God - or by a power greater than yourself - when you listen. But most especially, when you answer...


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