My Turn

1 Samuel 3:8-10 – 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. 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. The Lord came and stood there, calling as at the other times, "Samuel! Samuel!" Then Samuel said, "Speak, for your servant is listening." (NIV)

On a Sunday morning recently, our youth pastor's baby daughter was being baptized, and the parents chose to have their two-year-old daughter, Catherine, stand up with them during the baptism. Before the service began, Tammy, Catherine's mother, explained to her daughter, "You be good in church. We're going up to the front after the choir sings so the pastor can pray for baby Laura."

From my position in the choir I could see little Catherine, with her blonde pigtails and frilly dress, sitting on the edge of her seat waiting for our song to be finished. As soon as the pastor invited Rev. Michael and Tammy to bring their baby forward, Catherine announced in a voice loud enough for the whole congregation to hear, "My turn, Mom, my turn!" Everyone smiled at the child's eagerness.

The incident reminded me of the boy Samuel, who, when the voice of the Lord called him, answered enthusiastically, "Here I am. Speak, for your servant is listening." Wouldn't it gladden the heart of God if we, like two-year-old Catherine, would respond so enthusiastically to God's call to offer our lives to Him to be used in His service?

Romans 12:11 – Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervour, serving the Lord. (NIV)

Prayer: Dear God, help us to recognize Your voice when You call us into Your service. Amen.

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