The Summons

In our secular world, many may know that a summons is a call by an authority to appear at a place named or to attend to a duty, often simply a call to appear in court.

In our faith world, the summons is similar, a call by an authority (Jesus) to appear with Him and to attend to the duties He has called us to do.

One of my favorite hymns in the Alleluia III Songbook is “The Summons” by John Bell (p.168): four questions from Jesus and our response to His call:

Will you come and follow me if I but call your name? Will you go where you don’t know and never be the same? Will you let my love be shown, will you let my name be known, Will you let my life be grown in you and you in me?

Will you leave yourself behind if I but call your name? Will you care for cruel and kind and never be the same? Will you risk the hostile stare should your life attract or scare? Will you let me answer prayer in you and you in me?

Will you let the blinded see if I but call your name? Will you set the prisoners free and never be the same? Will you kiss the leper clean and do such as this unseen, And admit to what I mean in you and you in me?

Will you love the “you” you hide if I but call your name? Will you quell the fear inside and never be the same? Will you use the faith you’ve found to reshape the world around Through my sight and touch and sound in you and you in me?

Lord, your summons echoes true when I but call your name! Let me turn and follow you and never be the same. In your company I’ll go where your love and footsteps show. Thus I’ll move and live and grow in you and you in me.

“The Summons” gives us a glimpse of what it means to be a follower of Jesus. How are we doing?

Epiphany Blessings,

Judy Q +