Are You Talking to Me?
The bible says: “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” Psalms 119:105
I have often joked that it’s too bad it’s not a strobe light into the future?? RIGHT? Unfortunately, the path before us is not always clear, in fact I would say for me, it is rarely obvious or straightforward. If only we could hear God’s voice, or at least hear our own inner spirit directing us to our purpose!? Furthermore, when the divine does speak, do we even recognize the guidance we are being given? If we just knew …. reminds me of a story in the old testament of a young boy named Samuel.
“Now the boy Samuel was ministering to the Lord under Eli…At that time Eli, whose eyesight had begun to grow dim so that he could not see, was lying down in his room; the lamp of God had not yet gone out, and Samuel was lying down in the temple of the Lord, where the ark of God was. Then the Lord called, “Samuel! Samuel!” and he said, “Here I am!” and ran to Eli, and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” But he said, “I did not call; lie down again.” So he went and lay down. The Lord called again, “Samuel!” Samuel got up and went to Eli, and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” But he said, “I did not call, my son; lie down again.” Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord, and the word of the Lord had not yet been revealed to him. The Lord called Samuel again, a third time. And he got up and went to Eli, and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” Then Eli perceived that the Lord was calling the boy. Therefore Eli said to Samuel, “Go, lie down; and if he calls you, you shall say, ‘Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.’” So Samuel went and lay down in his place.Now the Lord came and stood there, calling as before, “Samuel! Samuel!” And Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant is listening.” 1 Samuel 3:1-10
Here I am Lord, send me
Isn’t that the way with things? We are called to a purpose, but we think it must be someone other than the Almighty speaking! To be fair, the “voice” is not always as clear as you would imagine, and our own experiences color our perceptions of what we often hear, and who must be speaking to us. I know for me, I fear that in my fast-paced life I will miss the calling. I fear failure, but failure can be our greatest teacher! I worry about the judgement of others, and how I might be perceived daft or loony for my convictions. I know I have heard the call to do more, to minister, but I am often my own worst enemy. I, like young Samuel, get distracted by life and let my own inner demons miss-direct me, I get lost in the weeds. I think, “God wouldn’t call me?!?!” I’m not very smart, not very talented, I’ve made millions of mistakes, some of them were HUGE! I am not Holy enough, or good enough, and certainly not called to do the highest work. Yet, I try to remember what a mentor of mine said, God needs broken people like us. Let that sink in … the light doesn’t shine through the perfect piece of pottery, it shines through holes, and cracks in the pottery. His light is seen through the cracks and imperfections of our lives, and that is really where we become a help to our neighbors.
I want to encourage you today, as I encourage myself as well, to know that still small voice. Learn to listen more and speak less. Don’t let the fear of failure or the fear of success hold you back, and be patient. We must learn that our time and God’s time are rarely ever the same, let the work come to you, just keep doing the things you know you must, it (whatever that is) will come in the right time. Be Blessed.
So what is your calling? How did you know? When did you know? What were your reservations? How did God let you know? Share your stories here so that we may grow!
Keep listening for that still small voice, no it’s not the kids, or the neighbor just like Samuel it might be the BIG GUY (GIRL)!
O God, by whom the meek are guided in judgment, and
light riseth up in darkness for the godly: Grant us, in all
our doubts and uncertainties, the grace to ask what thou
wouldest have us to do, that the Spirit of wisdom may save
us from all false choices, and that in thy light we may see
light, and in thy straight path may not stumble; through
Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
~Book of Common Prayer
LET LOVE RULE! Serve where you can!
Love One Another, always,
Cameron
Episcopal Lotus Flower in Bloom 