“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 . . . the lamp of God had not yet gone out.”
1 Samuel 3:1, 3a (NRSV)
“Get out of the way of the light!” My daughter-in-law joked as my hands blocked the laser light–again! The plumb-bob laser shot a line that was true, a perfect parallel to the ceiling. All volunteers, including me, were eager to paint purple, green, and periwinkle stripes in the Sunday school room.
Since I was closest to the laser, my hand sometimes blocked the red line of light. All work came to a halt. My friends needed the laser to tape straight lines.
We all need clear access to the Light.
In this passage, God graciously cleared a new path for his Light. God revealed himself to young Samuel and asked him to deliver tough news to his dear mentor Eli. The old priest’s disobedience caused Eli and his sons to lose sight of God. Under their leadership, the people of God had also lost their way.
In the stillness of the night, however, God called to Samuel, and he had ears to hear. He answered, “Speak, Lord, your servant is listening.”
Prayer:
Holy One, shine your light of healing and wholeness among us. Give us eyes to see and ears to hear. Amen
Question:
How are my distortions getting in the way of the Light?
Written by Deborah Jansen
