Who You Gonna Call?

The phone rings, and the news you receive is worse than you imagined. Who do you call?

The doctor comes in, and he says a lot of things, but you tuned him out when you heard the word cancer. Who do you call?

You hear the words no parent wants to hear, I’m sorry, but he/she didn’t make it. You’re broken as any parent should be. How can life go on, you wonder? Who do you call?

Perhaps you’re out on a seemingly insignificant date, and he pops the question. You’re overjoyed, on cloud nine. Who you gonna call?

It’s the longest three minutes of your life, and the little stick reveals two lines, tears of joy race down your face, you’ve tried and prayed for so long and now your blessing has come. Who do you call?

My first call when life happens, whether good or bad, is usually my husband, best friend or my mom. Someone who loves me and will support me through the tears of pain or tears of joy. Someone close that I know I can count on to show up for me.

I’m grateful for these people in my life and the support they offer to me. I pray I am that kind of support for others, but I also hope that I’m their second option.

I pray that your first call, my first call, will always be Jesus.

Hezekiah took the letter from the messengers’ hands, read it, then went up to the Lord’s temple and spread it out before the Lord. — Isaiah 37:14 (CSB)

Hezekiah received some news that taunted him. His kingdom threatened, and his God blasphemed.

King Sennacherib sent a message to convince Hezekiah that God could not save him and his people.

But, I love what Hezekiah does in verse 14. He reads the message and immediately calls on the Lord. Hezekiah doesn’t call his momma, his wife, his brother or his bestie. He goes straight to the source of hope.

Hezekiah doesn’t make plans on his own or seek the counsel of anyone else; he runs to the one who holds him in HIS hands.

Why do we struggle with this? We run to this person or that person. We seek her counsel and not HIS counsel. Don’t get me wrong, eventually we wind up before the Lord, but it’s usually after our attempt at counsel fails.

And, I’m not even saying going to someone you trust and who gives good godly counsel is wrong. It isn’t. But your besties, your momma, your hubs can never offer you the hope that comes from the Lord.

This scripture in Isaiah really spoke to me.

I need help with this. And, I’m willing to bet you do too.

I think it’s natural for us to turn to our family and friends.

We care about their opinion, and we know how much they care for us. I’m so grateful for my people.

But, they are not meant to be my source of hope, healing, freedom, restoration, joy or anything else. They are here for our encouragement, but HE is here for our salvation, no matter the situation.

So I challenge you, next time the news, or life should I say, comes at you full of pain and even full of joy. Call on the one who can offer you hope in your pain. The one who deserves your thanksgiving for the blessing. He loves you so much friend, and he wants to be the one you call.

Cassie Downs, formerly of the Ellsinore area, is a speaker, author of Chasing Jesus, a 60 day devotional, and founder of Everyday Jesus Ministry. Connect with Cassie on Facebook, Instagram, or online at cassiedowns.com.