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“Here I am; you called me.” 1 Samuel 3:4; 6; 8 (NIV)

Is there anything more annoying than calling someone and having them not respond, especially if they are visibly in a space where you know they can hear you?

When I was a child, my mom often would call my siblings and me – let me rephrase that – she would yell out our name ONE time – and expect us to appear in front of her without her needing to shout again. It was not sufficient to just respond. We had to physically go into her presence. If we failed to get there in a timely fashion, there’d be consequences, usually an unpleasant encounter with a leather belt we all learned to detest. Though Mom’s approach to communication was not the best one around, all of us learned the importance of responding immediately as someone would call us.

In 1 Samuel 3, the young Samuel is asleep in the house of the Lord, as Eli, the prophet, lies near him, and the Lord calls out to him. Not knowing that it was the Lord calling him, Samuel repeatedly went to Eli and answered, “Here I am; you called me.”  The lad was responding, just not to the right person. Eventually, he got to hear from the Lord, because he didn’t get frustrated and give up on responding.

I still remember how I really disliked having my name yelled out. I also disliked that I had to drop everything at the sound of my name being called and run to my mother to find out what she needed. While that approach was my least favorite one, it did make me very attentive to a call and the importance of answering as soon as the call was made.

Sometimes we miss out on opportunities because we suppress the voice that is calling us, and that may be exactly how God is trying to call us or tell us something. Failing to respond will not involve punishment, simply a missed opportunity to collaborate with our Maker on the plan that He has for us. Don’t miss out on His call. Be attentive to His voice and when you hear it, answer it.

“Dear Lord, thank You for knowing us by name and calling us when You have a plan that involves our participation. May our ears always be alert to listen.”

 For His Glory

Luska Natali
TRBC Women’s Life