During my high school years, I found it very odd that many
of my class mates would call some of our teachers by their first names. Whether
by invitation, or self-indulgence I always felt it lowered the respect level
between student and teacher. Years later, and on many occasions, I would see
one teacher in particular, and address him as Mr. So and so, to which he would
reply, please call me by my first name. Finally I promised him that when I
turned sixty, I would, and a couple of weeks ago, after turning sixty one, I
bumped into him, and had to choke out addressing him by his first name. It only took me forty plus years to get to
that point. Even after this many years, I still hold him in high regard as a show
of respect. This is because of the established relationship while growing up.
Our relationship with Jesus is entirely different. Yes,
Jesus is also our teacher, yet on a much different level. He teaches about
eternity, where school teachers teach about the earthly tools we need. Jesus is
our advocate to God the Father, welcoming is to call on His name for all our
needs. We should all be on a first name basis with Jesus. When we hurt, we call
His name. When we have victory, we should shout His name. When we finally find
peace, we whisper His name. He loves us so much, and wants so much for us that
He wants nothing to come between us, not even the word mister. He knows our
names, and speaks them daily to the Father. Knowing this, it should be natural
that we do the same.
I encourage any of you, who have yet to accept Jesus into
your heart, and life, that it is never too late. The lyrics in a James Taylor
song sing volumes, “You just call out My name, and you know, wherever I am,
I’ll come running”. These are an open invitation to all of us, and I have seen
first-hand that it works. I may always struggle to call my teacher by his first
name, but rest assured, I am perfectly at ease calling on the name of my
Savior, Jesus, as we are forever on a first name basis.
Mike Shindruk
www.mastershandministry.blogspot.ca
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