“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. Then the LORD called Samuel. Samuel answered, “Here I am.” And he 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.” 1 Samuel 3:1-9
Back in the day, when I was a child, I was not allowed to touch the black telephone on the desk. We were on a party line and when my mom needed to call someone, she either used that black piece of technology with a rotary dial or by opening the door and yelling out a name. The term ‘Cell’ phone was a solitary place I would be placed in after touching the phone and being spanked and being reminded I broke the house rules. The scripture reading talks about how Samuel received his ‘call’ from God. It is good to read these passages from time to time as we too have been called but sometimes we don’t understand who was calling or what it was they wanted.
The young boy in the attached photo attends the Lutheran school in Ouanaminthe and this is one of those special photos as the boy sitting next to him is wearing a North American throw away t-shirt that proclaims “saving the best for last.” This young boy and you both have received the ‘call’ from our Heavenly Father; but each of your calls was different but both will bring blessings back to our Heavenly Father. Your gift is feeding this child and he is growing the Kingdom in Haiti.
We get calls all the time and sometimes we answer and sometimes we just let the phone ring and ring and hope that they will leave a message. He continues to call you and His children in Ouanaminthe and around this world. Thank you for answering His call and taking the message. While driving home recently, George Younce sang a song titled “Who at my door is standing” and its words seem relevant to this passage in 1 Samuel.
“Who at my door is standing, patiently drawing near, entrance within demanding? Whose is the voice I hear? Sweetly the tones are falling; “Open the door for Me! If thou wilt heed My calling, I will abide with thee. Lonely without He’s staying, lonely within am I, while I am still delaying, will He not pass me by? Sweetly the tones are falling; “Open the door for Me! If thou wilt heed My calling, I will abide with thee. All through the dark hours dreary, knocking again is He; Jesus, art Thou not weary, waiting so long for me? Sweetly the tones are falling; “Open the door for Me! If thou wilt heed My calling, I will abide with thee. Door of my heart, I hasten! Thee will I open wide. Though He rebuke and chasten, He shall with me abide. Sweetly the tones are falling; “Open the door for Me! If thou wilt heed My calling, I will abide with thee.”
Heavenly Father, you have called your servants to ventures of which we cannot see the ending, by paths as yet untrodden, through perils unknown. Give us faith to go out with good courage, not knowing where we go but only that your hand is leading us and your love supporting us through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. Amen.
May God be with you…Jay