Speak, Lord. Your servant is listening

Mike Willock writes: At Second Church earlier this month the preaching text came from 1 Samuel 3, the call of Samuel. It’s a good story: The boy Samuel is serving in the house of the Lord under the old priest Eli at a time when the word of the Lord is rare in the land of Israel. When the lamp of God had not yet gone out, the Lord calls Samuel by name. Samuel runs to Eli, who says, “I did not call you. Go lie down.” When the call comes a third time, Eli realizes God is calling Samuel and tells Samuel to respond, “Speak, Lord. Your servant is listening.”

“Speak, Lord. Your servant is listening”. Just six words, but they 1) confirm the relationship between God and Samuel, 2) affirm with conviction that God is still speaking, and 3) that Samuel is ready and willing and waiting to receive and do the word of God. As reformed Presbyterians we know that God still speaks to those who have ears to hear by the power of Holy Spirit, and that God calls us to live out God’s word in love among our families, congregations and communities.

Recently at the Good Ground pantry, one of our guests thanked me and pressed a $20 bill into my hand while receiving groceries. I know this person has other needs and limited means, but still gave $20 to the pantry to help others. As our congregations confront declining giving, we can all too easily rationalize the situation by saying, “our members don’t have the money” or “they are on fixed incomes.” I hear those comments every stewardship season. The truth is that giving comes from a generous heart and not from a full bank account or wallet. Speak, Lord. Your servant is listening.

I like bluegrass music and I listen to the KDHX show “Down Yonder” on Saturdays when I leave the pantry.  I was moved by these lines from the song “Hands” by Thomas Cassell: “Always try to keep your heart connected to your wrist. ‘Cause everybody knows you can’t shake hands with a fist.” Scripture tells us in Ephesians 1 that as disciples and servants of Jesus we are given a spirit of wisdom and revelation, enlightening the eyes of our hearts so we can see clearly the hope of our calling and the riches of our inheritance in Christ Jesus. An enlightened and generous heart is lived out in hospitality and welcome to all of the children of God. There is no room for the “us” versus “them” framing that too often fills our social and political discourse. Speak, Lord. Your servant is listening.

Walking the front of the church before I left that day I found this little rose bush showing all the stages of flowering – buds coming, about to open, in full bloom, past prime and decaying. It reminded me that all of life is lived in the hand and in the care of God. Both the old and disgraced priest Eli on his way out and the young boy Samuel coming into the flower of his ministry are servants of God. It was Eli who at first misinterpreted the fervent prayer of Samuel’s mother Hannah for a child and yet said (1 Samuel 1) “Go in peace. May the God of Israel grant the petition you have made.” It was Eli who heard (1 Samuel 2) the prophecy that his sons would die and his house would be cut off and punished so God could raise a faithful priest who would do God’s will. And, it was that same Eli who demanded to know from Samuel what God had told him and then said, “God is the Lord; God will do as God pleases.” Sad for Eli, but necessary for Israel. Speak, Lord. Your servant is listening.

God is good. All the time.