Epiphanies: Speak, Your Servant is Listening

Now the boy Samuel was ministering to the Lord under Eli. The word of the Lord was rare in those days; visions were not widespread.

At that time Eli, whose eyesight had begun to grow dim so that he could not see, was lying down in his room; the lamp of God had not yet gone out, and Samuel was lying down in the temple of the Lord, where the ark of God was. Then the Lord called, “Samuel! Samuel!” and he said, “Here I am!” and ran to Eli and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” But he said, “I did not call; lie down again.” So he went and lay down. The Lord called again, “Samuel!” Samuel got up and went to Eli and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” But he said, “I did not call, my son; lie down again.” Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord, and the word of the Lord had not yet been revealed to him. The Lord called Samuel again, a third time. And he got up and went to Eli and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” Then Eli perceived that the Lord was calling the boy. Therefore Eli said to Samuel, “Go, lie down, and if he calls you, you shall say, ‘Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.’ ” So Samuel went and lay down in his place.

Now the Lord came and stood there, calling as before, “Samuel! Samuel!” And Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant is listening.” ~ 1 Samuel 3:1-10

God comes to us in the quiet, but God also comes to us when we don't think we are ready. On the surface, Samuel wasn't ready. He was just a boy.

But God called him anyway.

I've heard from more than one person in different congregations that they didn't feel qualified for something, whether it be a leadership position, a worship assisting role, a teaching position, or even ready to study the Bible.

But God doesn't just call us when we feel qualified.

God calls us where our gifts are, and where need is. And where growth is called for.

And when we are called - even if we don't feel qualified - God has a tendency to give us the support we need.

Other leaders to train us. Pastors and worship leaders to show us the way. Other teachers to partner with us.

Other Bible students and facilitators to light the way and guide us.

We are called - ready or not, but we aren't alone on the journey.

Help me to heed your call, Lord. Even when it isn't comfortable. Amen