Are You Listening?

The Rev. Kathi Johnson

B Epiphany 2 – 14 January 2018

Texts: 1 Samuel 3:1-20; John 1:43-51

Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, Grand Prairie, Texas

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Samuel’s story takes place during a difficult period for the people of Israel. Before we even get to what the text says, we know from history that Israel during Samuel’s life is still a collection of various tribes – they have not yet unified into a nation. They are also surrounded by enemies - in particular, the Philistines. Some of the people want a monarch to take charge, thinking this will unify Israel and provide stability and security.

So now that we have a bit of the history in mind, we can look at the text again, which right away lets us know there’s some trouble going on: “The word of the Lord was rare in those days; visions were not widespread.”

We have to take the story back a little to see what’s happening here. Back in the previous chapter , we see that the people who are entrusted with leading the worship of God are corrupt. They are taking advantage of people who are bringing sacrifices to the Lord, and they are taking advantage of women who are trying to serve the Lord.

So it’s no wonder that the word of the Lord was rare – there weren’t many who were truly listening for the voice of God.

Enter Samuel…whose name, by the way, means: God has heard.

The boy, Samuel, is serving the Lord under Eli’s supervision when he hears this voice calling to him one night. Samuel would’ve been at Eli’s beck and call, which is why he assumes the voice that he hears is Eli’s. Also, the text tells us that Samuel didn’t really know the Lord yet, so to him, it makes sense that the voice he hears is Eli’s.

The Lord calls to Samuel three times – and three times he runs to Eli – and twice, Eli sends him back to bed. The third time, Eli figures out that something bigger is happening here, and so he encourages Samuel to listen. And then Eli says that when God calls, tell God that you’re listening. And then, listen.

So Samuel returns to his room – can you imagine him, waiting?

“Samuel! Samuel!”

And Samuel listens. And the word of the Lord comes to him, and it’s a hard word that he receives. It’s a hard word because it’s about those corrupt leaders I just mentioned – and those are the sons of Eli – and God has had enough of them and their wickedness. This is the word that Samuel has to give to his boss the next morning.

The next morning, as they’re talking about this experience of Samuel  listening to God, Eli listens to Samuel, for he recognizes that even though it’s a hard word, the boy has received a word from the Lord. The next chapter is when life falls apart for Eli and his sons.

As for Samuel – this part of his story ends with the text saying that everyone knew him as a trustworthy prophet. Samuel lives into this tremendous calling that God has placed upon him: to be a prophet of the Lord.

When someone is preparing for ordained ministry, and even after becoming a pastor, one gets asked to share their call story over and over. People ask me: “How did you know you wanted to be a pastor?” “Did God speak clearly to you, like in the Bible, or did you just know?”

But I’d like to share part of another call story with you, of when God brought Steve and I into each other’s lives. We had begun dating, and pretty early on, we knew that this was something special. Early in our relationship, I was on the phone with my Granny, who was 88 years young at the time. I was nervous to tell her how Steve and I met – through the website match.com.

So I did what you do when you’re trying to get someone on board – I launched into every single positive attribute that Steve has. Granny then asked, “So how did you meet?” (Darn. Was hoping she’d forget!) And I nervously told her we’d met online.

Now, my grandmother is a very faithful woman. And she can tell better than most when God is involved in something. So her response was, “Well, I suppose if God can use other ways to bring people together, he can use that, too!”

In other words, when God calls, listen.

Every so often, I get asked how I think God speaks to us. How do we know what we’re hearing is of God, and not just our own selves?

What do you think….?

Is it how something feels in our gut? Is it receiving confirmation from others? 

Regardless – we have to listen. Samuel listened. The disciples in today’s gospel lesson – when Jesus called them, they listened. If the word of the Lord seems rare, are you listening?

Also – the word of the Lord isn’t always an easy word – just look at Samuel and Eli. But whenever and however God calls us, God also gives us what we need to live into that calling. God gives us faith, and hope, and love. And then, God gives us strength to live in this world as bearers of the truth of God’s love for all.

Are you listening?

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