REFLECTIONS

February 21st, 2016

This is what the LORD says:

"Stand at the crossroads and look;

ask for the ancient paths,

ask where the good way is, and walk in it,

and you will find rest for your souls.

Jeremiah 6:16

Listening for God

Sammy awakened at the call of his name. “Here I am,” he answered thinking his teacher called from another room. “Go back to bed. I did not call you,” replied his teacher with a sleepy voice. So, Sammy went and lay down.

Again he heard the voice, “Samuel!” So Sammy got up and went to Eli and said, “Here I am; you called me.” But Eli retorted, “I did not call; go back and lie down.”

Then Sammy heard the voice a third time, and again he went to Eli and said, “Here I am; you called me.” Finally, Eli realized that Samuel stood at a crossroads in his life and that God had joined him there. So Eli told young Sammy, “Go and lie down, and if he calls you again, say, ‘Speak, LORD, for your servant is listening.'” So Samuel again returned to his place and lay down.

Then the LORD came and stood there, “Samuel! Samuel!” he called like the other times. Sammy reacted, “Speak, for your servant is listening.” And the LORD revealed to Samuel his plans to do something in Israel that would “make the ears of everyone who hears of it tingle.”

From that time, the LORD was with Samuel as he grew up, and he let none of his words fall to the ground. And all Israel from Dan to Beersheba recognized that Samuel was attested as a prophet of the LORD. (From 1 Samuel 3:1-21)

Almost every day, God places us at crossroads with choices to make in our journey through life. But from our viewpoint the benefits and consequences of those choices are often unclear. One road is appealing to the desires and senses, but conceals its destination of evil and destruction. The other may seem less attractive but is God’s chosen way.

Samuel listened for God “and he let none of his words fall to the ground.” He waited for God’s direction and followed them. And he found himself fulfilling God’s plan for his life—prophet, judge, and kingmaker.

So I wonder what God plans for you and me. Samuel learned by listening for God and he didn’t miss a single word.

May we listen for God as carefully.

You are the light of the world,

Richard +

www.reflectingthesavior.org


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