Listening

I’d like to invite you to join me in a simple yet profound narrative from the Old Testament today.  This passage of scripture is rich with truth and holds a message that has the potential to change our lives.

1 Samuel 3:1-10 NIV

“The boy Samuel ministered before the Lord under Eli. In those days the word of the Lord was rare; there were not many visions. One night Eli, whose eyes were becoming so weak that he could barely see, was lying down in his usual place. The lamp of God had not yet gone out, and Samuel was lying down in the house of the Lord, where the ark of God was. Then the Lord called Samuel. Samuel answered, “Here I am.” And he ran to Eli and said, “Here I am; you called me.” But Eli said, “I did not call; go back and lie down.” So he went and lay down. Again the Lord called, “Samuel!” And Samuel got up and went to Eli and said, “Here I am; you called me.” “My son,” Eli said, “I did not call; go back and lie down.” Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord: The word of the Lord had not yet been revealed to him. A third time the Lord called, “Samuel!” And Samuel got up and went to Eli and said, “Here I am; you called me.” Then Eli realized that the Lord was calling the boy. So Eli told Samuel, “Go and lie down, and if he calls you, say, ‘Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.’ ” So Samuel went and lay down in his place. The Lord came and stood there, calling as at the other times, “Samuel! Samuel!” Then Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant is listening.””

What I wouldn’t give to hear the audible voice of God speaking!  While we may not get that same experience, here is a timeless truth that does apply to you and I. 

God is speaking and we can position ourselves to hear from him and listen to him.

In Samuel’s specific situation, God called out to Samuel.  He even spoke Samuel’s name to get Samuel’s attention. God was calling Samuel into purposeful service but Samuel didn’t recognize the Lord speaking to him until he positioned himself to listen and receive what God wanted to say. 

Sister, I believe God still does the same thing.  He calls out to you and to me.  He personally reaches out to us to get our attention.  He has a plan and a purpose for us that he wants to speak into our hearts, but sometimes we don’t recognize his voice because we aren’t in a space to listen or to receive what God is saying. 

Life is full and it is also noisy.  A million things compete for our attention.  There are so many things that distract us and preoccupy us.  I find myself a little envious of Samuel sitting in the still and quiet night in that holy place, his thoughts interrupted by the clear voice of God. 

Yet, even Samuel wasn’t sure whose voice he was hearing until he received that wise instruction from old Eli.  I wonder how our lives might change if we also take Eli’s instruction to heart.  I wonder what would happen if we whispered into the middle of our everyday lives, “Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.”

How might our hearts change if we began our days by getting quiet before the Lord, and humbly uttered,“Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.”?

How much more meaningful would our time in the Word be if, before we cracked open our Bible’s we prayed,“Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.”?

How would our families, our workplaces, our communities, our relationships, and our churches change if, in the middle of our everyday lives, we regularly called out to God and said, “Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.”?

I think things would change, but that simple phrase is the only part of the process.  We can put ourselves in the position to hear from God by letting him know we come humbly before him as his servant with a heart ready to hear him.  However, we also must be people who will tune in and listen for his response. 

Samuel prayed and then waited expectantly for a response.  Might we do the same?  After we call out to God, are we willing to patiently listen for those little nudges in our hearts from the Spirit?  Are we keeping an eye out for the people and situations he might be speaking to us through?  Are we digging into his Word to learn the truths he shares there?  Are we observing his hand at work in creation as he reveals himself there? 

Like Samuel, God is inviting us to hear from him.  He’s constantly calling out to us.  God is always speaking to us, sweet sister, and we can choose to position ourselves to hear from him and to listen to him.

Prayer

Father God, thank you that you speak to us.  Help us to engage with you and to listen for you.  Give us an attentiveness to the Holy Spirit alive in us.  Help us to notice your promptings in and around us.  Give us the desire to seek you and the patience to listen for your voice.  Amen.

Scripture Meditation

1 Samuel 3:10 NIV

“The Lord came and stood there, calling as at the other times, “Samuel! Samuel!” Then Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant is listening.””

 Journal Reflection

Read 1 Samuel 3:1-10.  Imagine yourself as Samuel or as an observer in the narrative.  What do you notice?  What stands out?  How might you have felt?  How might you have responded?  Is God saying anything to you as you read and observe? 

Practice

Throughout your day, pray Samuel’s prayer, “Speak, for your servant is listening.”  And then spend a moment or two listening.  Pay attention to what surfaces in your heart, mind, and spirit as you engage with God.