We get called mostly every day, whether someone’s calling your phone or calling your name from another room, but we don’t necessarily know why we’re being called.

When we hear our names, we try to listen out for either the tone or volume in the voice which calls out to us, to work out… ‘‘umm, is it a good reason I’m being called, do they need help, am I in trouble or what do they want now!’’ We ready ourselves to respond, or not. Today’s Bible passage is Mark 1:1-3.

“The beginning of the good news about Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God, as it is written in Isaiah the prophet: “I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way” — “a voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.’” (Mark 1v1-3)

We know that despite the agenda or intention behind a call – or person calling to us – that we have a God who always starts the call with good news! That right from the beginning before contact was made, of us coming to the realisation that Jesus is our connect; he loved us before the foundations of the world (Ephesians 1:4-5).

The voice believed to be John the Baptist was a call of hope from God, one of promise, forgiveness and restoration of relationship with God. Mark 1:2 is also a good reminder that receiving the good news of Jesus doesn’t stop there but we too are called into action (James 1:22); sent out to be doers, the light and salt of the world – how will you respond?

At a time of the year where people look for love in people, work or manufactured things, freely we have received the greatest love and freely we should give (Matt 10:5-8).

Thank you, God, that you speak to us and through us, would you make us attentive to your call and obedient to your instructions, to respond with a heart that is willing to proclaim the truth of your love. Amen.

Written by Bolade Kerr. Bolade is a civil servant, currently working at the Department for Work and Pensions and also serves as a trustee of Hope Church Newham.