In this age of electronic devices there is one that has become very popular. It’s the "Caller ID."
This device can give you the number and name of the person who is ringing your telephone. Before you answer you know if its a salesperson or your mother-in-law. It’s an extremely useful device if you don’t want to have a conversation with whoever is calling.
What if a call was coming in and on the display it said, "G.O.D.?" What if this mysterious caller is none other than the Almighty? Would you let the phone ring? Would you go find someone else to answer it? Or, would you willingly pick up the receiver and say hello?
About eight years ago I received a phone call from a member of St. Paul’s. Your church was searching for a new minister. There was no pressure on me to make an immediate commitment, for both the caller and I knew this process would take some time. But, responding to "the call" meant that my life would change. It meant relocating to Sidney, leaving friends, finding a new home, changing personal services such as doctors and insurance agents. The move would affect our entire family. Accepting that call meant starting a new life in a unknown place. It meant making new friends. It would not be a simple transition. The only way to make it was in faith.
When we say "Yes" to God, it means changes will occur. Perhaps not as dramatic as what happens to a minister and his family when they relocate, but some things will simply have to change. If, for example you are asked to serve in some volunteer position, you have to make adjustments to be effective.
Perhaps you have committed to caring for a relative. That will require a personal sacrifice in time and resources. Perhaps you have been asked to serve on a board or committee. That means meetings, phone calls and getting acquainted with new people. You can see that when we say "yes" to God, we can expect change to happen. On the one hand we can feel good about giving our time and talents in a benevolent way. On the other hand, we will have to make some changes in the way we live our lives.
It’s a real challenge in today’s society to find people who are willing to serve in voluntary ways. Many are willing to help, but only on a short-term basis. Few are willing to commit to any long term program for fear of having to give up their freedom. Last week I had a conversation with the area director of the scouting program. He is seeking leadership to supervise youth. He said it is just about impossible to find folks who will make that kind of personal commitment. I understood his dilemma. I was aware how hard our church nominating committee had to search for new leadership.
I don’t believe that people today are any less caring than they were in Jeremiah’s day. People want to help others, but they lack confidence in themselves to try or they are afraid of changes that have to be made. So if God calls the response is, "Yeah, sure…Why would God call me?" As you can see, Jeremiah did not understand why God was calling him. "I am only a youth", he said. "I am not capable of being your speaker."
Jeremiah did not have any confidence in himself as a messenger of God. He immediately discounted the fact that God was calling him. He wasn’t making an excuse. He just didn’t believe that he was the man for the job. He was called to change the future, to help God’s people return to God. His call would not be met without resistance, nor would it be a simple task.
Many of you have dreams. They to can be a call to make some change in your life. There are all kinds of opportunities and avenues for you to pursue. It is just easier to stay as we are, moving in our same circles, going to familiar places, repeating our old habits. And if we never try something new we don’t have to worry about failure.
I suppose that fear is what holds us back. Fear is what keeps us from answering the call. Fear is what prevents us from saying "yes" to God. Jeremiah was afraid. He was no different than us. God knows he is afraid and God gives Jeremiah the reassurance he needs to proceed as a messenger. "Be not afraid," God said, "I am with you to deliver you."
When I was contemplating the move to Sidney it wasn’t without fear. I had never lived in a small town. Most of my experience had been in large metropolitan areas. Like Jeremiah, I was apprehensive. I shared that with several colleagues. One of them, a former Association Minister, reassured me. He said it would be a good church for me and I had the talents needed to do ministry here. Others had confidence in me and encouraged me to respond.
All of us are called, not just to places and institutions, but to daily challenges new opportunities. Every time we have an Annual Meeting we are answering the call to a new year, to future ministry. Will we cling to the past? Or, will we accept the call and move forward?
To accept any call to move into the future means change. It could be leaving home and going to college or military service. It could be a job transition that calls for a relocation. The other day I was visited by a member of our church who is relocating to Northern Ohio. She will be leaving the company she has worked for the last 29 years. She will be moving away from her parents. She came in to give us her new address, so she could receive the church newsletter in her new home. But, she also asked for a list of UCC churches in her area. She believed that would give her reassurance as she makes this change in her life.
My mother and father recently told me they are looking for a retirement community to live in. They want to make the change while they still have their health. More and more people in our society are facing this call to relocate in an area where there is adequate health care and services available that make for holistic living.
Margaret Patrick, (Chicken Soup for the Soul, No.4), tells her story of moving to independent living facility. After she had settled in she noticed a piano at the center. It made her very sad and a long-time staff member, Millie, noticed the pain in her eyes. She asked Margaret what was wrong and she told her how she had used to play the piano but no longer could because of a stroke she had had. She had no use of her right hand. "I’ll be back in a moment," Margaret said. A few moments later she returned with a woman in a walker. "Meet Ruth Eisenberg," she said with a smile. "She also played the piano, but like you can no longer play due to a stroke." Ruth Eisenberg had no use of her left hand. Ruth asked, "Do you know Chopin’s Waltz in D Flat?" Margaret nodded that she did. Side by side, the two sat on the piano bench using their two healthy hands to play the piece. Since that day they have played hundreds of times. They grew popular, playing at other retirement centers, churches and schools, even an appearance on television. These two great-grandmothers, both widows have moved forward in life believing that God has brought them together, all because they answered a call.
When we overcome our fears amazing things can happen. When our confidence is restored there is no limit to what we can do. Our music, our messages, our creative abilities can reach beyond familiar turf. We can meet new friends at any age, giving us hope and purpose.
Dr. Keith Wagner, St. Paul’s United Church of Christ, Sidney, Ohio