In 1 Samuel 3:1-10, we read about little Samuel, who heard a voice calling him and thought it was his master, Eli. He ran to Eli’s room, saying, “You called me, sir. Here I am.” However, it was not Eli calling him; it was the Lord, reaching out to prepare Samuel for his life’s purpose. He couldn’t afford to miss this vital call, but as a young boy left in the care of the priest Eli by his mother, Hannah, how was he to know that it was the Lord, and how important this call was for his future?
Despite Samuel’s confusion, the Lord was determined to communicate with him and initiate his life’s purpose. He continued calling until Eli recognized what was happening and guided Samuel in how to respond to the Lord’s voice.
I can’t help but wonder what could have happened to Samuel’s life purpose if he had failed to recognize the voice of the Lord and had not had Eli to guide him. This thought makes me reflect on how many times we might have missed hearing the Lord call out to us, seeking to direct us along the path of our destiny. I wonder how many of us have overlooked the voice of the Lord, especially amid chaos and life’s troubles. I do ponder how many of us are living aimlessly because we have missed the Lord’s voice.
Dear Lord, our Father, please give us the grace to hear and recognize Your voice and to respond appropriately. If we struggle to discern Your voice, please place people like Eli in our lives to help guide us back to You, so that Your Will may be done and we don’t miss our life’s purpose. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
A LAMP UNTO THY FEET (PSALM 119:105) 