Hello dears
First I apologize to the gmail constituency who never received a reflection on yesterday’s nougat. Technical issues sorted and we’re back on.
Here’s today’s Holy Nougat
“So the Lord called a third time, and once more Samuel got up and went to Eli. “Here I am. Did you call me?” Then Eli realized it was the Lord who was calling the boy.” 1 Samuel 3:8 NLT
Each time I think about this, I am nervous. How many times must God have tried to get Eli’s attention and been unnoticed? In the larger narrative, we learn that Eli was the man of God. Yet visits and/or revelations from God we’re extremely uncommon among God’s chosen people. Not good at all.
We also learn that Samuel had awakened to the call TWICE before and neither he nor Eli recognized the Source. I am drawn to a few things …
It required THREE tries for the man of God to recognize God was speaking to his ward (proof that it wasn’t very common perhaps?) or he didn’t think God would speak to a lad like Samuel. – God will speak with whomever God wills, regardless of age, stature, status or standing.
For Samuel, the voice must have sounded fairly familiar as he did not seem fearful AND he kept going to Eli. Granted, it could have been the two of them in the temple; but even then … – God’s call isn’t necessarily about fanfare or high drama. It may seem as familiar as the voices around us. And if we are attuned, we will hear and recognize God’s call (or God will provide someone to confirm the call).
Since this first message was for and about Eli, it should stand to reason that the message should be delivered directly to Eli. Yet God called Samuel BY WAY OF Eli! – And that’s my point of consternation. God allowed Eli to come to the realization that God was speaking to and through someone else. God could easily have said, “Samuel; Samuel. It is I AM, the Lord Your God.” Or used some other tactic that wouldn’t get Eli involved.
But God didn’t.
For sometimes, when it’s really important and we’re playing deaf/blind; God is obliged to speak TO us via other mediums. That’s not God’s preferred choice. God would rather speak WITH us directly.
Furthermore, for us whom God has selected (handpicked), this is a cautionary reminder. If we are stumbling blocks; there WILL arise another who can speak for our God. If it’s time to retire, let us go with our integrity in tact. If we are called, let us be conscious of the One Who has called us. Yes, we are serving on earth; but our ultimate accountability is to God. So, if God’s voice has been muted in our contexts, let’s pause and regroup. There may still be scope for God’s glory to shine through us.
But first we must be still
In Christ’s love and grace . . .
