The LORD came and stood there, calling as at the other times, “Samuel, Samuel.” Then Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant is listening.” 1Samuel 3:10
Meditation:
The Lord called, "Samuel, Samuel." Samuel didn’t recognize the Lord’s voice. Now, imagine the Lord calling your name.
Would you recognize his voice?
I’m sure I have missed it many times in my life. Samuel needed Eli to help him understand what was happening and once he understood, he immediately said yes. In order to hear and understand the Lord’s call to us, some things are necessary. First, we need some quiet in our lives. The world is full of noise. Some of this noise is unavoidable – traffic, construction, machinery, etc. – but much of it we inflict upon ourselves.
How much time do we spend listening to the radio, the television, video games, idle chatter?
In order to hear the Lord, we need to turn away from the noise and turn toward the Word of God. Samuel also needed the help of Eli, a man who had been listening to God’s voice for many years and had served the Lord as a priest. Although he was old and had not always been faithful, Eli could help Samuel know how to respond to the Lord’s call. God has put people in our lives to help us in our search for God’s voice and sometimes we are called to be help for others. Have you ever heard someone say to you, "That was just what I needed to hear?" Or perhaps it was you who needed someone to say just the right thing to you.
Once you do recognize what the Lord is calling you to do, you have two choices, either you respond as Samuel did or think about the difficulties you might encounter, or how you might offend a friend, or think of all the things you need to do first. We have free will to choose what we want to do. We can listen for God’s voice or ignore it; we can do as the Lord Requests, or refuse.
God has given us free will. What will you do with it? Listen and obey or ignore and turn away? Prayer:
Our Heavenly Father, open our spiritual ears to hear your voice, open our heart to respond to your call with love and trust. Lead us with your Holy Spirit, to choose what is right and continue spreading the Gospel of your Son everyday with words and actions. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen!
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