1 Samuel 3:19-20; “As Samuel grew up the Lord was with him and let none of his words fall to the ground. And all Israel from Dan to Beersheba knew that Samuel was a trustworthy prophet of the Lord.”
When we read this story of Samuel’s calling from God, do we ever take it personally? Very few of us have had a call experience as defined as Samuel’s was described in these verses. Yet we somehow come to realize that God’s call on our lives and commitment is real. The question that needs a response is what do we do about it?
How to respond is usually open ended. We don’t necessarily get a step by step list of things to do and the order in which to do them. Where do we find direction? Jesus provides the answer, frequently. Throughout his ministry he helped the disciples begin to understand what it meant to follow him. There were certainly times when they appeared as dense as I sometimes feel, but the call got through. The disciples answered their call, the church was born, and the light began to shine where darkness has been.
Each of us has been given the call to love God with all we’ve got and our neighbors as well. We can accomplish that by using what God has made available to us, and with he se gifts is very clear. No matter how unprepared or unworthy we may feel the call still comes.
There’s no question that each of us has a place to act that can make a difference in the lives of others as well as our own. God continues to expect hearing, “Here I am, send me.
Creating God, Your Fingers Trace - v4
Indwelling God, your gospel claims
One family with a billion names;
Let every life be touched by grace
Until we praise you face to face.
God we thank you for calling, persistently. Help each of hear and respond in ways that will show your love and care to those who need it most. Help us trust you enough to accept our parts. Amen.
Rev. David Brosnan