In the turmoil of our lives and the chaos of our thoughts, we sometimes lose sight of what truly matters. How can we find rest? We don’t need a grand revelation, but simply a reminder of our relationship with Jesus.

Sometimes, God needs to stop us. We get so caught up in our thoughts that we don’t really take the time to reflect on why we do so much. Or sometimes, we are going through such a difficult time that we are overwhelmed by doubt and anger, and we can no longer stay in the faith. Studying the Bible is truly an excellent practice, but we can become so filled with information that we forget to connect with our subject of study. It is through these swirling thoughts that God calls us… by name.

Mary had just discovered that the stone sealing Jesus’ tomb had been rolled away and that His body was no longer there. She went to inform the other disciples, and while they dealt with the matter, she stayed apart, weeping. Seeing a man nearby, thinking it was the gardener, she asked him if he knew where Jesus’ body was. She was in a state of panic, looking at the events before her, probably imagining all sorts of scenarios. And Jesus calmed her turmoil with a single word. “Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means “Teacher”)” (John 20:16 NIV).

Imagine the scenario: You are in your house, pacing back and forth, going over the facts you know, imagining the worst-case scenarios, and suddenly someone puts their hand on your shoulder, looks you straight in the eye, and says your name. If this person says your name, it means they know you personally. They are trying to pull you out of your torment without giving you a solution. Because you already know the answer, you are simply caught in an emotional or intellectual storm, and you don’t see it. But when this person says your first name, this personal connection soothes your mind. If someone calls you by your first name, it means you are no longer alone.

There are other ways to get our attention. In a hospital or bank waiting room, the staff will address you by your last name. This employee doesn’t have a personal relationship with you; they are there to inform you, not to comfort you. In a classroom, a student might stop us mid-sentence by using our title. But when a friend interrupts our monologues or thoughts by using our first name, it’s quite different. It gets our attention, slows our momentum, and helps us change direction. That is what Jesus did with Mary. By saying her name, he put a stop to her anxious thoughts, and she was immediately comforted by her relationship with Jesus. He did the same with Moses (Exodus 3:4) and Martha (Luke 10:41), to restrain them and bring them back to what truly mattered.

“The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out” (John 10:2-3 NIV). Jesus still does this with us. When our thoughts are in turmoil, He puts His hand on our shoulder and says our name. Perhaps even our nickname, because He knows us intimately. Single people, you pray to God for a life partner, and you list in detail your criteria and the reasons why He should answer you. And during your long argument, the Holy Spirit interrupts you by calling your name. What does He want to remind you of? It’s not all the information you have about Him that will calm your soul; it’s your relationship with Him that will soothe you. When you hear Him call your name, you will remember that you belong to Him, that He knows you intimately, that He is with you, and that He will always take care of you.