There was once a boy, his name was Samuel, and he loved God.
Samuel is a rather iconic figure in the Old Testament. He anointed first Saul, then David as Kings of Israel. Before that he served God faithfully as both Priest and Judge. Even the very beginning of his story is remarkable, as we read of a childless woman who prayed for a son and promised to give her son to God if she had one. Samuel was dedicated to God by his mother even before his conception.
But the moment in his story that speaks to me so much is when he is just a little boy, serving in the tabernacle of God.
The boy Samuel ministered before the Lord under Eli. In those days the word of the Lord was rare; there were not many visions. One night Eli, whose eyes were becoming so weak that he could barely see, was lying down in his usual place. The lamp of God had not yet gone out, and Samuel was lying down in the house of the Lord, where the ark of God was. 1 Samuel 3:1-3
“Samuel was lying down in the house of the Lord.”
I remember wondering as a child why we had to go away from church. I wanted to stay in God’s house and not leave. The idea that people needed to go on with lives outside of His house seemed strange to me. He IS life. The idea that we needed to have careers to buy our bread seemed odd too. He IS bread.
I think the child I was and the child Samuel was would have understood each other.
I don’t know what the sleeping arrangements of the day were for priests, but somehow I don’t feel that it was common to sleep in the Holy Place. Yet that is where Samuel was, in the house of the Lord, where the ark of God was.
God wasn’t talking much at the time, wasn’t moving in amazing and radical ways. There was no “revival movement” going down. No over abundance of healings and visions. Still, something is attracting Samuel to this place, before the Lord.
We don’t tend to be like that. Times when attendance is high and followers intensely interested in service after service tend to be times where something incredible is taking place. We rejoice over the movement and evidence of God. But how often were we rejoicing during His silence? How often do we show such interest when we aren’t presented with a spectacle of His wonder as our reward?
But if from there you seek the Lord your God, you will find him if you seek him with all your heart and with all your soul. Deuteronomy 4:29
It’s a pretty basic promise on God’s part, and one He always honors. No matter who you are or what you’ve done, no matter where you are, if you seek Him with a whole heart you will find Him.
Even if you are just a little boy, sleeping in His house.
Then the Lord called Samuel. Samuel answered, “Here I am.” And ran to Eli and said, “Here I am; you called me.” But Eli said, “I did not call; go back and lie down.” So he went and lay down. Again the Lord called, “Samuel!” And Samuel got up and went to Eli and said, “Here I am; you called me.” “My son,” Eli said, “I did not call; go back and lie down.” Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord: The word of the Lord had not yet been revealed to him. A third time the Lord called, “Samuel!” And Samuel got up and went to Eli and said, “Here I am; you called me.” Then Eli realized that the Lord was calling the boy. So Eli told Samuel, “Go and lie down, and if he calls you, say, ‘Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.'” So Samuel went and lay down in his place. The Lord came and stood there, calling as at the other times, “Samuel! Samuel!” Then Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant is listening.” 1 Samuel 3:4-10
He’s just a boy. He has no great skill or understanding. He doesn’t even know enough to recognize God’s voice when he finally hears it. Yet its to him God calls. Its him God chooses. This young boy, with a heart that wants to stay before God’s presence.
It’s all He’s ever required. Just a willing heart.
God did this so that they would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from any one of us. Acts 17:27
He’s not looking for a scholar. He’s not looking for some great saint. He’s not looking for perfection.
He’s just looking for a heart that is seeking.
He’s just looking for you.
You. Not cleaned up or polished. Just you.
Is that refreshing to you? It should be.
Because, at least for me, I’m very aware that I’m not perfect.
I know a lot about the Bible, I’ve read it cover to cover many times. I grew up in church surrounded by Godly people that were fantastic examples to me. If anyone had an advantage in “right living” it was me. But you know what? I fail all the time! I fail at loving, I fail at living. I tend to be lazy and listless. I procrastinate on what I know I should do until it never gets done. I find myself selfish and self-centered. Caring about my comfort more than I care about truth.
Nope, not perfect.
But I love Him. I want Him. I know I don’t have much to offer but I’m offering it day by day. I know I need a lot of work, but since He’s willing to work on me, so am I. And I know that its ok that I’ve not made it yet, because He meets me where I am, and not where I should be.
And, like Samuel, I don’t always recognize His voice. But that’s ok too, because He keeps calling.
~Joy Aletheia Stevens
(If you haven’t started this walk with God, know it really is true, all you need is to be willing! Please click the Meeting the Mystery tab at the top of this page to know more about meeting Him.)
Photo Credit: kid praying by James Chew (CC BY 2.0)
Photo Credit: by Waiting For The Word (CC BY 2.0)
Photo Credit: by Ricardo Camacho (CC BY 2.0)
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