Voices in the Night

Scripture lessons:

1 Samuel 3.1-10

John 1.43-51

“Now the boy Samuel was ministering to the Lord under Eli.

The word of the Lord was rare in those days; visions were not widespread.”

1 Samuel 3.1 (New Revised Standard Version)

The author of the First Book of Samuel describes a time in the history of his people, when “the word of the Lord was rare…[and] visions were not widespread.” But then he tells the story of a young boy, Samuel, awakened by a voice in the night that called to him by name. When Samuel responded with the words, “Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening,” a new vision was born for the people of Israel.

I think we move through stretches of life when voices of vision seem rare at best. Artists speak of times of dryness, and lovers speak of losing the passion that united them. But it is also true that ideas and insights can emerge quite unexpectedly through daily experience, in ways that offer fresh vision and a way forward into richer and fuller life. God called to Samuel, Jesus called his disciples, and the Spirit calls to us, beckoning us to join with the forces that make for peace and goodwill.

The great Jewish scholar, Abraham Heschel, claimed that “God is not always silent…In every person’s life there is a lifting of the veil at the horizon of the unknown, opening a sight of the eternal.” When the veil lifts, as it did for young Samuel, may we be ready to listen, and follow the way that is inspired by wisdom and moves towards hope.

 

Prayer: O God of vision, grant us willing and receptive spirits, so that when you speak, we may hear, and having heard, may follow you with faith, hope and love; in Jesus’ name. Amen.

~ by Rev. Dr. Edward Horstmann on July 2, 2007.