“Jesus said unto her, Mary. She turned herself and said unto him, Rabboni; which is to say, Master,” John 20:16, KJV.

Jesus addressed Mary by calling her name. No other call could be more personal. Today God is still calling us individually to Himself, because He cares about the need of every heart. “Come unto me, all you that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart; and you shall find rest for your souls,” Matthew 1128-29. Mary responded to Jesus’ call by turning to the Savior and giving Him her full attention, devotion, and worship. So we need to answer God’s call in our own lives. Time and again we must turn toward the Master and wait to hear what He will say.

In the Bible, some people had wrong ideas about God’s call. Moses may have perceived a call, but he tried to fill it by his own means and soon had to flee because people turned against him. When God was actually ready to use him, Moses made many excuses that God had to work out in him (Exodus 2:11-15, 3:11-22). The “man of God out of Judah” was slain by a lion for disobedience to God’s call,” 1 Kings 13:11-25. Jonah was swallowed by a fish after fleeing from God’s call.

Sometimes we hear a call from God and immediately run to do something we think God wants us to do. Then we wonder why God’s blessing seems to be missing. Our labor seems wasted, and our work eventually grinds to a halt. It is because we have not stopped to first worship the Master and fully devote ourselves to Him. When we hear God’s call, we must take time to stir up the fire of love in our hearts so we focus on what is truly important from God. Then we need to let God tailor our labors to meet the need of the hour.

Our God, in His might, has spoken. Rest in Him whose word is unbroken.