John 20:16 Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned and said to him in Aramaic “Rabboni!” (which means Teacher).
Nothing impacts me more than when I hear the Lord say my name.
Everyone has a need to be seen, to be heard, to be known. It’s no surprise, since God created us to be relational creatures. He wants to meet us smack dab in the middle of our lives. He speaks to us in the grocery store, in coffee shops, at work, at play. The Lord wants to assure us he hears our prayers. Your prayers. My prayers. He speaks in ways personal to each of us.
I believe Jesus calls our name a lot more than we realize. We think we’re hearing the voice of coincidence, human sympathy or like Mary, maybe it’s the gardener. Most of the time, our cluttered lives don’t have room for listening at all.
Listening for the Lord’s voice begins with the Bible.
As a gift for my birthday this year, my husband had my 1984 NIV Bible rebound. The years had left its pages creased and falling apart. Actually, the book binder remarked he had never seen a book in worse condition! But the margins of those creased and torn pages contain almost 40 years of communication with a personal God. My Bible has taught me that God knows my name. His Word has shown me how to recognize his voice and distinguish it from others.
At first, Mary didn’t recognize the risen Lord. In her deep distress, she supposed him to be a caretaker. But when he said her name, she knew immediately. He spoke her name in a way no one else did. No one else could.
So I’ve been praying for God to speak into situations as only he can. For my friend battling cancer…. Lord, say her name. For another person having a hard time making ends meet…. Lord, say his name. For a grandson facing a new challenge…. Lord, say his name. For a family unsure about their uncertain future…. Lord say their name.
And for you, friend, I pray you have gotten to know the Lord through his word. And I pray you hear the him say your name. It’s the sweetest, most comforting sound you will ever hear.