Listen, So That You May Live

A few days ago, we reflected on the passage in the book of 1 Samuel, where the boy Samuel is training under an elderly priest named Eli. One night, God calls to him, but Samuel doesn’t know what he’s hearing. He goes in to wake up Eli. And once Eli clues in on what’s happening, he gives Samuel a model prayer. He says Samuel, when you hear the nudge again, say: “Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening…”

The message to Samuel turns out to be bad news for Eli. Apparently, Eli and his sons had a lot of power – and we find out that while Eli was a good man – his sons were totally corrupt and had been using their power to take advantage of people. God asks Samuel to confront Eli.

And it is true, sometimes God’s words to us are words of promise and comfort, and sometimes they are words of challenge. 

God says to Samuel, “Samuel, the old religious order is over. You’re going to confront Eli about his sons…” “Moses, I want you to go to Pharaoh…” “Paul, I want you to turn your life around… and give it back to me.  

And maybe even you have sensed that nudge, God saying to you: “See these people who are hurting?  I want you to help… Or, this might be out of your comfort zone, but I need you to serve in this way… Or, I want you to give… Or, other times maybe: Let go of that…let go of that anger….  Let go of that resentment… Let go of that worry. 

In Isaiah, chapter 55 (verses 2-3), God says: “Listen carefully to me, and eat what is good, and delight yourselves in rich food. Incline your ear, and come to me; listen, so that you may live.”

In other words, there is a fullness of life that God wants for us – a peace and depth that comes only when we listen…

Let us pray: God of hope, we pause even now for just a moment in your presence. Help us to carve out time apart with you. Grant us open ears, and open hearts, that we would be attuned to your peace and guidance; through Christ our Lord. Amen.