For Whom It Tolls

Our church’s tower bell tolls at the beginning of the service to call people to worship. Even streaming online.

It is an old European tradition to toll the bells. The church was in the center of the community. A joyous fast cascade of bells meant a couple had joined in wedlock. A steady tolling was a call to stop and pray. But, a long, purposeful bong of the bell meant a person had passed on.

John Donne wrote, “… And therefore, never send to know for whom the bell tolls; It tolls for thee.”
— Meditation XVII

How many people within earshot today knew why the bell tolled? Did they realize it meant that Christ’s blood was shed for their sins? Did they grasp that the bell represented their Heavenly Father beckoning them to come and accept his Son and experience his Spirit dwelling within them and bringing them peace?

Do they hear it in their hearts when they have slammed the door after angry words have filled the home? Does it beckon to a teen who has locked herself in her room to cry into her stuffed animal, thinking it is the only thing on earth who understands her, or to a guy who’s decided to try drugs to escape the madness raging in his thoughts?

Today I heard God call me in the tolling of the bell. My prayer is others did as well. I pray they will finally respond to his call and come into his waiting arms.

Will you respond this Sunday?

Heavenly Father, you find so many ways to call us to your presence. Let our hearts’ ears hear your bell, and then let us draw near in praise and prayer, communing together when we can, any way we can and drawing others to join us in worshipping you. Amen.

Throughout This Day: Find moments of time when you can focus your thoughts and heart on God. Perhaps it will be while waiting for a family member, or between meetings. Spend time in praise, and perhaps in prayer for those in need within your community.