How many of you have seen the movie “Ever After: A Cinderella Story”? It’s been nearly 30 years since it was released but it’s a movie I enjoy watching over again.
A Cinderella story. Reminds me of my life with Christ. Let me explain.
I grew up thinking I had to work hard enough, be good enough, and then, possibly, God would really love me. My relationship with the Lord was based on me and what I was doing – right or wrong – and not on God’s grace.
When the Lord opened my eyes to His grace and I found my righteousness in Him, it was like I have been fitted with the glass slipper. My value, my worth, was not in my efforts but in who He created me to be.
In this movie, Cinderella is abducted and is taken to the castle of an evil lord. Prince Charming comes to rescue her – I know it cheesy right?
But let me ask you, how many times have you found yourself in a situation where you felt imprisoned by circumstances out of your control? That’s when we truly come to recognize God’s grace and mercy.
His promise to never abandon us becomes as real as our next breath.
In the movie, as the Prince arrives to rescue her, for the first time he calls her by her real name. She says “…Say the part where you call me by name again.” And then he says her name, Danielle, and declares his love. AWWWW!
Even now, that phrase touches me. You see, I remember the first time I really heard the Lord call me by name. In my heart, I heard Him say “Kristi”. His voice was soft and low, kind and filled with love.
“Do not be afraid. For I have bought you and made you free. I have called you by name. You are Mine! 2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you. When you pass through the rivers, they will not flow over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned. The fire will not destroy you. 3 For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, Who saves you.” Isaiah 43:1-3 NLT
Can you imagine? The voice of God calling your name, what a joy!
Then I remembered that God called others by name as well it started with Adam & Eve; Noah, David, Daniel, Jeremiah, Zacchaeus, the disciples, Mary at the garden tomb, Saul on the road to Damascus and John on the Isle of Patmos; all of these and more had that same wonderful experience of hearing God call them by name.
God the Father has called us by name as well. Yes, He has! In His love He called our name telling us that He has a plan for our lives; a plan to be in fellowship and relationship with Him; a plan of adoption so that we can call Him “Abba Father.”
Hearing God speak our name isn’t a one-time experience, limited only to the day we accepted Him as Savior. How sad it would be if that were true.
Daily God is calling our name and telling us He loves us. Do we hear it or are we too busy and distracted? Take time to listen…and take time to respond.
Can you imagine how it thrills His heart to hear us say, “Abba Father, I love you. I want to spend time with you today.”?
