1 The boy Samuel ministered before the LORD under Eli. In those days the word of the LORD was rare; there were not many visions. 2 One night Eli, whose eyes were becoming so weak that he could barely see, was lying down in his usual place. 3 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. 4 Then the LORD called Samuel. Samuel answered, "Here I am." 5 And he ran to Eli and said, "Here I am; you called me." But Eli said, "I did not call; go back and lie down." So he went and lay down. 6 Again the LORD called, "Samuel!" And Samuel got up and went to Eli and said, "Here I am; you called me." “My son," Eli said, "I did not call; go back and lie down." 7 Now Samuel did not yet know the LORD: The word of the LORD had not yet been revealed to him. 8 The LORD called Samuel a third time, and Samuel got up and went to Eli and said, "Here I am; you called me." Then Eli realized that the LORD was calling the boy. 9 So Eli told Samuel, "Go and lie down, and if he calls you, say, 'Speak, LORD, for your servant is listening.' " So Samuel went and lay down in his place. 10 The LORD came and stood there, calling as at the other times, "Samuel! Samuel!" Then Samuel said, "Speak, for your servant is listening."

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Did you ever play the game Marco-Polo as a child? Someone, who is usually blindfolded, would shout “Marco” and in response others playing would shout “Polo.” The object of the games is for Marco to find Polo. Watching this game played is always amusing. It usually involves comical wandering and some close calls.

The story of Samuel’s call is a lot like the game Marco-Polo. God is the one calling, but Samuel can’t seem to figure out who it is. Samuel is a young boy at this point working as an assistant to the elderly Priest Eli. One night Samuel hears a voice repetitively calling out to him and immediately he thinks it is Eli calling for assistance. Eli insists that it is not him calling and finally figures out that God is calling Samuel. Eli tells Samuel that God’s calling the boy. The next time it happens, Eli instructs Samuel to answer saying, “Speak, for your servant is listening.”

Did you know that God still calls us today? It might not be in an audible voice like Samuel had, but nevertheless God calls us by name. God communicates to us in a variety of ways: through scripture, music, other people, and pivotal things like events; the list is endless. We need to be alert.

Even though God has a habit of calling at unexpected times, listening to God’s call doesn’t have to be like the game Marco-Polo, where we wander around blindfolded hoping for a connection. Although we don’t need to live in the temple like Samuel, we need to be close to God in order to hear God calling. We need to prepare ourselves to listen when God calls. Setting the stage for us to hear God’s voice requires discipline on our part. We need to keep ourselves spiritually ready through study and worship. We also need to be actively involved in a supportive Christian community. With Eli’s help, Samuel discovered that God was calling. Surrounding ourselves with others can be a great help in hearing/ seeing things that we are unable to see for ourselves. As you go through the week ahead, consider how you prepare to hear God calling. When you hear God calling your name (and you will), answer saying, “Speak, for your servant is listening.”