Listening (MPLS)

1 Samuel 3:1–10

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.”

‘Text Message’ Reflection:
From Meta Herrick Carlson

Samuel was dedicated to the Lord, set aside to serve in the house of God even before he was born. He learns from and helps the prophet Eli, an intergenerational friendship rooted in worship and prayer.

When Samuel hears a voice calling him by name in the middle of the night, he assumes it is Eli asking for him. He checks in with Eli a few times before they discern together that it is the voice of God. It’s such an intimate story about a mentee seeking out his mentor, knowing he can trust and pester and count on Eli for help anytime.

‘Text Message’ Reflection Questions:

• Who can you trust to welcome your interruptions and inconvenient questions? Why?
• Who comes to you for advice and support? Why?
• Eli instructs Samuel to listen to God’s voice. How/where/when do you listen for God’s voice?

Prayer:
Anointing God, help us to listen for the good purpose you have in store for our lives, that our work and play, our worship and rest would be rooted in deep joy and meet the world’s need with love. In Jesus’ name, Amen.