Can You Hear Me Now

Had a great time yesterday digging into 1 Samuel 3 in preparation for this coming Sunday.  Next in our Summer Stories series: The Boy Who Heard God's Voice.

I was struck by so many observations.  For starters, it was sobering for me to realize that Samuel thought Eli's voice was God's voice.  I was reminded that my challenge as a spiritual leader is to deflect attention.  If I'm not careful people will attend our church each weekend, listen to a message, and assume they've heard all they need to hear from God.  My real challenge is to teach people to hear God for themselves; to make sure that their faith isn't based on hear-say.

I also realized that I've not been in the habit of finishing this story.  What comes to your mind when you first think of 1 Samuel 3?  Cute little boy in the temple falling asleep at night while listening to God's soft, soothing voice?  That was my mental picture.  But have you ever thought about what God actually told Samuel?  It was a violent description of what He was going to do to Samuel's mentor.  Ouch. 

Maybe we're not always quick to get quiet and listen to God because we're a little frightened by the prospect of what He might actually say?  Ignorance is bliss:)

Anyway, interesting stuff. 

My most random thought of the day came out of chapter 2.  Do you think this verse is proof that Samuel was a mama's boy?

Comments

[cindy]

I think 1Samuel 2:19 included a sentence that was longer than the Star Spangled Banner anthem (which happens to be one sentence.) The sentence starts with 2:12 and doesn't end until 2:19. Samuel wore an ephod and wore a priestly robe. While Samuel's mom was doing everything in her control to grow Samuel up in the way he should go; Eli's sons were worried about their stomaches (as was Eli - 1Samuel 4:18)

[Lauren]

Isn't it funny that there always seems to be the temptation (or maybe even just a natural default) in ministry to always be the mediator between people and God? We, as individuals, each have to figure out this whole mysterious, yet beautiful relationship with Jesus, and learn to hear His voice, but sometimes I think we're afraid (or perhaps don't know how) to challenge those we minister to, to go and do the same. It's such a challenge, but I believe it's one of the most vital functions of ministry: not only to communicate the heart of God, but to challenge others to find His heart themselves.