As David was leading our Bible Study for a group from our home church last night, we were discussing 1 Samuel 3:1-10, the story of Samuel hearing God’s voice for the first time. I was reminded of the couple of times when I remember hearing Him speak to me. It wasn’t physically audible, so others couldn’t hear it, but it was so clear to me that it may as well been audible to me.
Throughout our engagement, David traveled about 20 days of each month, so we valued our times together. Although I was enjoying my time in the States, I missed my home. I missed my family in Australia. I was home sick. I just wanted to go home to Australia. I often cried out to God asking why I was here. One day during those cries, I felt a comforting voice say “I’m not finished with you here yet.” Whoa.
A couple of weeks later during one of our date nights, I started crying again. Poor David, he didn’t quite know what to do. I told him that I wanted to go home. Although he didn’t want me to leave, he just wanted me to be happy, so he told me that I should leave. Through the tears and with a sobbing voice, I told him, “I can’t leave because God’s not finished with me here yet.”
Although I didn’t understand exactly what He meant at the time, I was obedient and didn’t go back home. God’s great plans for my life in America were just beginning.
When God called Samuel’s name, he responded with “Speak Lord, your servant is listening.” Are you actively listening for God’s voice? How will you respond when you hear Him?
Yes, sometimes I wish God was a bit more specific in what he’s telling us to do. But in the end, obedience is the key.