Jesus Calls Us, O'er the Tumult, ELW 696
1 Jesus calls us; o'er the tumult
Of our life's wild, restless sea,
Day by day his clear voice sounding,
Saying, "Christian, follow me."
2 As of old St. Andrew heard it
By the Galilean lake,
Turned from home and toil and kindred,
Leaving all for his dear sake.
3 Jesus calls us from the worship
Of the vain world's golden store,
From each idol that would keep us,
Saying, "Christian, love me more."
4 In our joys and in our sorrows,
Days of toil and hours of ease,
Still he calls, in cares and pleasures, "Christian, love me more than these."
5 Jesus calls us!
In your mercy,
Savior, make us hear your call,
Give our hearts to your obedience,
Serve and love you best of all.
Devotion
Remembering Jesus' promise of God's steadfast love and presence throughout my life's turmoil gives me great comfort. However, I must also remember that Jesus calls me to love God steadfastly in return. Life's tumult of cares often so completely distract me that I do not hear God calling, "love me more." My distracting activities—such as home, work and family—seem right, good and essential. Nevertheless, they cannot replace a loving relationship with God.
If I become so distracted by these daily activities that I lose my relationship with God, how will God's steadfast love comfort me? Even so, I cannot remain idly comfortable in my loving two-way relationship with God alone. When Jesus calls us to "follow me," he calls us into dynamic, three-way relationships. Jesus calls us into gracious reconciliation to God and with our neighbors. Jesus calls us into loving service of God and with our neighbors.
Prayer
Loving God, thank you for calling and calling and calling me again and again over life's many distractions. Help me give top priority to loving and following you most of all. Stir my heart to obedient service of you and with my neighbors. Amen.