Have you ever wished that God would call to you like he did those in the Bible? Today we’ll talk about how God calls us today—even if it looks different.

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One of my favorite accounts in the Bible is the one of Samuel—especially in the beginning before he was a respected prophet.

His story begins with Hannah, his mother, who prayed for a son. She was so emotional in her prayer at the temple that the high priest, Eli, thought she was drunk.

Don’t ask me why. How many drunk women did Eli encounter at the temple that he would assume this of Hannah?

Anyway, Hannah promised God that if she were blessed and conceived, she would dedicate her child to Him.

He blessed her. And as soon as Samuel was weaned, Hannah presented him to the same priest who’d thought her drunk before. Can you imagine?

When Samuel was still a boy in the account is still my absolute favorite part.

Samuel had just lain down for the night when he heard his name. He ran to Eli, his mentor. “Here I am. You called me.”

Eli was so tired he could hardly hold his eyes open. “I didn’t call you. Go back and lie down.”

Samuel complied but heard his name again and returned to Eli. “Here I am.”

I imagine Eli felt exasperated with the boy at that point. “Son, I did not call you. Lie down.”

Samuel obeyed again, but no sooner than he’d cocooned himself into his blankets, he heard his name. He didn’t hesitate to run back to Eli yet again.

I’m guessing Eli was ready to reprimand Samuel this time, but then he realized what was happening: God was calling the boy. Eli instructed Samuel in how to respond next time. Say this: “Speak, Lord, for Your servant is listening.”

I’ve often wondered what it would have been like to be Samuel and hear God calling my name—like my mom called to me from the kitchen when I was a girl.

Wow.

I can’t imagine.

But is it true that God doesn’t call us today?

I have never heard God speak to me audibly before, but does that mean He’s never called my name?

Called By Name: Who I Am in Christ

The truth is God calls us by name even today. He calls to us to accept His love sacrifice and be His children.

I couldn’t tell you the exact day or month or year, but God called my name when I was a girl.

And then God goes one step further—he never does the minimum. Not only does God call us by name but He also gives us many more.

Here are just some of the names that God gives us when we accept Him.

#1 – Blessed

#2 – Child of God

#3 – Chosen

#4 – Free

#5 – Friend

#6 – Known

#7 – Loved

#8 – Redeemed

#9 – Seen

#10 – Strong

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The account of Samuel is fascinating, but in the Old Testament, many were called. And even in the New Testament, Jesus called to each of His disciples during His earthly ministry and even to Paul after His resurrection.

It’s easy to read the Bible and think that God doesn’t work the same as He did then.

But He still calls us by name today.

If you haven’t answered that call or if you have no idea what I’m talking about, God is still calling to you to accept Him—that He died for our sins and rose again. I ask you to check out this page.

What are your favorite names in Christ? Let me know in the comments below.

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FOr more, check out these posts.

• Who I Am Playlist: 45+ Song Reminders For Identity from HISsparrowBlog
• Identity in Christ 3 Simple But Encouraging Steps from HISsparrowBlog
• Identity: The One Whom Jesus Loves from HISsparrowBlog

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I frequently link up with the following: Grace & Truth with Embracing the Unexpected, Tell His Story with Jeanne Takenaka, and Let’s Have Coffee with Joanne Viola.