I recently heard a recipient of a BAFTA (the British version of our Academy Awards) say in closing, "May whatever God you believe in bless you."

In this day and age, not all people believe in God. Others believe in gods with different names and some in multiple gods. The existence of one almighty God who is over all seems to be a fading belief in America, yet is on the rise in China and Africa.

For those who believe in an almighty God, some make an intellectual assent to God similar to the way we believe in death: We know it exists because people die. It's an impersonal reality until someone close to us dies. When faced with the loss of our life or that of a loved one, we might be tempted to call on God to save us or our loved one.

Calling on God implies God might hear us when we call. Such an act would move us from a distant intellectual understanding of God to a personal relationship with God. Such an act could be risky. I might look/feel foolish. Is it really necessary?

For Christians, it is God who first calls to mankind. It's his son, Jesus, who speaks to us personally and individually.

Initiating contact was a risky act on his part. It came at a high price, the death by crucifixion of his beloved son. Yet, God took, and he still takes, the initiative and calls to mankind.

It is hearing him that leads first to belief and then to our calling on his name. Yes, his making contact could have been considered foolish, but he thought it was necessary.

The good news of Romans 10:13 is: "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved," not just for the moment, but for eternity.

Many people know about Christ. A significant number also probably believe that he is the son of God and the world's savior as the Bible teaches. But they have never called on him in personal trust and so are not Christians. They are not saved.

"Saved from what?" you ask. Saved from having only an intellectual understanding of God, saved to a personal life-changing relationship with the one true God. Saved from past failures, present sins, future mistakes.

As a recipient of this life-changing gift, I hope you may hear the God who believes in you speaking to you, and may you call on his name and be saved and blessed.

Romans 10:12 said: "For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile, the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him."

Kathy Novak is a member of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church.