Read: 1 Samuel 3:1–9
Then Eli perceived that the Lord was calling the boy. 1 Samuel 3:8
Samuel was a young boy when the Lord called him into service. God called one night saying, “Samuel, Samuel.” But Samuel thought Eli, the chief priest of the tabernacle, was calling him, so he got up and rushed to Eli’s side. Two more times God called the boy, and each time Samuel went to Eli saying, “You called me.” Finally, Eli perceived that the Lord God was calling Samuel, and Eli instructed the boy how to respond to this divine conversation.
God calls to us every day, and yet often we are unable to hear God’s voice. Without hearing God’s voice, we risk living our lives apart from God’s will for us. That is why it is so important for us to have an Eli—someone skilled in hearing and recognizing God’s voice in our lives. Going to church, having friends who are people of faith, and getting serious about our own faith education allows us the opportunity to be both found and led by an Eli. In time, when we have become seasoned in responding to God’s invitation in our own lives, we might find that we become an Eli for someone else.
Who might be an Eli for you?
Lord, lead me to someone who can help me to hear Your voice. I need an Eli. I need someone to help me recognize Your subtle nudging in my life. You know I don’t like to ask for help, but I don’t want to miss out on what You are calling me to do. I want to make the most of my life, and I am going to need some Elis to help me on my way. In Jesus’ name, I pray. AMEN.