What to Do When He Calls

What to Do When He Calls

Hook
Many people are eager to be used by God. Far fewer are willing to be quiet long enough to hear what He wants to say. Before God sends you, He first speaks to you.

Scripture
"GOD called again, 'Samuel!'—the third time! Yet again Samuel got up and went to Eli, 'Yes? I heard you call me. Here I am.' That's when it dawned on Eli that GOD was calling the boy." — 1 Samuel 3:8

Explanation
What do you do when God calls you?

It sounds like an easy question until the call actually comes.

Samuel had never heard God's voice before. Naturally, he assumed the voice belonged to Eli, the authority figure in his life. He wasn't being rebellious; he simply lacked discernment.

Many believers are still where Samuel was. They are sincerely responding to human voices, convinced they are responding to God. So they spend their lives going back and forth, busy but not necessarily directed, until someone—like Eli—helps them recognize the voice of God.

Eli's counsel was simple but profound:

"Go back and lie down. If the voice calls again, say, 'Speak, LORD, for Your servant is listening.'" (1 Samuel 3:9)

That is still the right response today.

When God calls, He is not first looking for your opinion, your activity, or even your ability. He wants your attention. Before you have something to say for God, you must first hear what God has to say to you.

Learning to listen is the first step in fulfilling God's call on your life.

Listen. Listen. Listen.

It sounds simple, but it is becoming increasingly rare. Many people begin running before they have received any instruction. In 1 Samuel 18, Ahimaaz insisted, "Let me run anyway," even though he had no message to deliver. That is a picture of much of today's Christian activity—motion without movement, speed without direction, activity without assignment.

God is not impressed by how fast we run. He is pleased when we first learn to hear.

Application
Before making your next move, ask yourself: Have I heard from God, or am I merely reacting to the loudest voice around me?

Cultivate a listening heart. Create moments of silence. Stay in His Word. Pray with an expectation to hear. The clearer His voice becomes, the more purposeful your steps will be.

Reflection
God's call is never an invitation to hurry; it is an invitation to listen. Those who learn to hear Him will never have to manufacture purpose—they will simply walk in it.

Prayer
Father, give me a listening heart. Help me to recognize Your voice above every other voice. Keep me from running ahead of You, and teach me to wait until I have heard what You are saying. May my life be directed by Your voice and not by the pressure to be busy. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Discussion Question
What voices compete for your attention, and how can you intentionally create space to hear God's voice more clearly this week?

Have a fruitful day.

(Dr.) Emmanuel Okoro
(aka Dr. Lift)

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