Jesus said to her “Mary.”

John 20:16

“Mary.” Jesus only had to utter her name once and Mary recognized who he was. Out of the depths of her despair, she turned towards him and cried out in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” which means, teacher. That is all it took for Mary to believe her Lord was risen and standing before her. Has God been calling your name? John 10: 27 reminds us, “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.”

In my younger days, I used to sing a chorus that went like this:

When he calls me, I will answer,

I’ll be somewhere working for my Lord….

Are you living in despair? Whatever your burden, you do not need to take another step without Jesus (Matthew 11:28-30). He knows your name (Jeremiah 1:5), and he is calling you to life and hope in him alone. God says: “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me (Rev. 3:20).” It is an open invitation to all humanity; to you and me. Do you recognize his voice? Will you answer him?

God is always patient. He will never give up on you.

Dear God, your love is perfect, and endless, and your ways are unfathomable. So, reach down by the power of your great love and bring life and hope to those who are in despair today. In Jesus’ name, I pray. AMEN.