Call to me and I will answer you and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known.

~Jeremiah 33:3 ESV

Alexander Bell was one of the primary inventors of the telephone. On March 10, 1876, his hard work paid off culminating in the first successful telephone call.

One hundred and twenty-six years later, a communication business started an advertising campaign with Paul Marcarelli, known as the “Test Man,” who spoke into a cell phone the iconic words, “Can you hear me now?”

But even with the invention and successful use of the telephone, Mr. Bell still couldn’t claim he was the first to call out to mankind. 

God, the Creator of all things, was the first to call out to mankind. Adam and Eve disobeyed His commandment and instead ate from The Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil. When they donned fig leaves, and attempted to cover up their disobedience, God showed up, saying, “Where are you (Genesis 3:9 NKJV)?'” This is akin to Him saying, “Can you hear Me now?”

Adam responded, “I heard Your voice in the garden, and I was afraid, … and I hid myself” (Genesis 3:10b).  How many times have we fallen short by knowing but disobeying God’s Word, and then trying to cover this up? I know I have done this. When I find myself in these situations, I know I shouldn’t hide, but sometimes I do. 

There was a time in my life when I spent a lot of time hiding. Instead of answering God’s call to go into the ministry, I joined the United States Air Force and was deployed to Okinawa, Japan. I was sure God wouldn’t find me, nor would He call on me there.  As I reflect on this incident, I realize how silly I was to believe that, and I wonder if Adam and Eve had the same thought pattern. The barracks that symbolized my “fig leaf,” was in plain sight to God.

God called me out of hiding. Two young men had somehow gotten locked out of the barracks. As soon as I responded to their knocking opened the door, they asked if I knew Jesus. That was the moment I realized my fig-leaf barracks could never hide me from the calling God had on my life. Shortly after this incident, I entered the ministry. I will never regret answering God’s call. It’s been scary at times, but it has also been fulfilling.

My question for you today is, are you hiding from God? If you’ve strayed off the straight and narrow illuminated path and into the darkness, our compassionate God invites you to come back. He already knows your hiding place and He still wants to deliver you as He did me. Call to Him and He will rescue you. Ask for forgiveness, and permit Him to direct your path. He is very willing, full of mercy, and ready to guide you into His best plan for your life.

Are you hiding from God? How does knowing God loves you help you to embrace His grace?

Heavenly Father, when You say, “Can you hear Me?” help me to respond with “Yes, Lord, I hear You, and I am willing to obey Your call. For only You know the best plan for my life.”

In Jesus’ name. Amen

Genre: Non-fiction

Copyright 2019: Can You Hear Me Now?: Ed Chappelle: All Rights Reserved