Listen

A third time the Lord called Samuel. He got up, went to Eli, and said, “I’m here. You called me?”

Then Eli realized that it was the Lord who was calling the boy. So Eli said to Samuel, “Go and lie down. If he calls you, say, ‘Speak, Lord. Your servant is listening.’” So Samuel went and lay down where he’d been.

Then the Lord came and stood there, calling just as before, “Samuel, Samuel!”

Samuel said, “Speak. Your servant is listening.”

1 Samuel 3:8-10

Think

One time when I was visiting my parents, my mom warned me that neighborhood boys had recently been ding-dong-ditching. Sure enough, moments later the doorbell rang. I went to answer it, and no one was there. Then it happened again. It was a silly prank. They weren’t even very good at it. By the third time, I could hear them giggling as they ran away down the street.

I imagine that this might have started to feel like a theological game of ding-dong-ditch for Samuel.

Yet, the third time was the charm for Samuel as well. Samuel was awoken again, but this time Eli realized who it was actually calling him. And Samuel was ready for the next time.

God was there and called Samuel by name. All along, it had been God who’d been calling Samuel. I admire Samuel for being so ready to answer even when he hadn’t quite figured out how God might be wanting to use him. Samuel certainly wasn’t running away!

Molly Logan

Pray

Gracious and loving God, help me to remember that you know me by name. Help me to have the faith to listen and wait for your call and the boldness to stand before you and answer. Amen.

Go

I said, “I’m here; send me.”

Isaiah 6:8b

May we go into our days celebrating that God knows us, loves us, and calls us to share that grace and care with all whom we encounter today.