Symbol 13 of the Jesse Tree: Samuel's Lamp

Symbol 13 of the Jesse Tree: Samuel's Lamp

Symbol 13 of the Jesse Tree: Samuel's Lamp
(In the early days of worship, a young boy was serving in the temple. It was late at night--the lamp was lit--when God called him. He grew into a great prophet and eventually was the one who anointed David as king.)

1 Samuel 3:1-21, 1 Samuel 7:3-17

Matthew 19:14

When we think of prophets, we think of great spiritual giants who spoke with boldness and spent pious hours in prayer... but Samuel was a child. And he was asleep and--get this--HE DIDN'T RECOGNIZE GOD'S VOICE. 

What kind of a prophet doesn't recognize the voice of God???

It's humorous, actually:

God calls and Samuel wakes up. The kid gets out of bed, walks up stairs and wakes up the priest--only to be confused at the response. ("No, I didn't call you. It's the middle of the night. Go back to bed!") This happens a few times before anyone figures out what happens. 

God is either frustrated and sad that no one gets the gravity of the situation ("the word of the lord was rare in those days") or God is cracking up because the whole thing is hilarious ("psssst. Samuel! Samuel! pssssssst!!").

...but I wonder how often I miss it too.
How often do I sleep through the holy gravity of God's presence in the world?

What keep you from hearing God's voice? What do you need to set aside or wake up from--in order to recognize that God is calling?

Pray: Dear God, today we are listening for your call. Perhaps you have something special for us to do. When you call, we will answer, "Here I am." Amen.