1 Samuel 3: 1-18

August 2, 2010

1 Samuel 3:1-18

"It is the Lord; let him do what seems good to him."

We so want to be on top of things - be in control. And let's face it, our days go more smoothly if things are thought out, organized. Where things go awry I believe is when we mistake organization for control. "If I just make enough plans, if I write it down, if I make sure all the details are taken care of, everything will be fine.

We fail to remember that God is in control of our lives, not us. We fail to trust that God is going to do what seems good to God. Our task is to stop and listen to what God may have to say to us. God often leads us in directions we do not plan for, in directions we do not expect.

Samuel had been given by his parents to Eli to serve the Lord. I am sure as Samuel grew up, he fell into routines and had an image of what his life was going to be like. But the Lord called out to him and Samuel said, "Speak for your servant is listening." Samuel's trust to listen to God's will led him to be a mighty prophet.

As we walk together this year in seeking God's will, may we be as open to the freshness of God's call as young Samuel.

Prayer: Gracious One, you are the source of all that we are. We want to be your faithful church. We want to jump up in the night and cry, "Here I am!" May we have the courage and flexibility to follow your will wherever it takes us. Amen

--Maggie Sebastian