1 Samuel 3 describes the call of Samuel. Samuel received his call at a young age, as he ministered before the LORD in Shiloh. The text says, “In those days the word of the LORD was rare; there were not many visions.” Yet Samuel receives a special word from Yahweh and his life is changed forever.

One night Eli, whose eyes were becoming so weak that he could barely see, was lying down in his usual place. 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. Then the LORD called Samuel.
Samuel answered, “Here I am.” 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.
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.”
Now Samuel did not yet know the LORD : The word of the LORD had not yet been revealed to him.
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.”

Samuel’s call experience propelled him to embrace his destiny as God’s mouthpiece for Israel. By the end of the chapter, Samuel is described as one empowered to speak prophetically on behalf of Yahweh. “The LORD was with Samuel as he grew up, and he let none of his words fall to the ground….The LORD continued to appear at Shiloh, and there he revealed himself to Samuel through his word. And Samuel’s word came to all Israel.” Note the transformation that has occurred. Through this call, Samuel has become the conduit for God’s word in his community. What was once rare has now become common, an indication of the LORD’s favor toward his people. Samuel was called to share this Word with the people of Israel.

Have you been called? I doubt you’ve ever heard a voice (and if you have, that’s another discussion entirely!), but this month on Wednesday night, we hope to gain a deeper understanding about God’s call on our lives. You see, I’m one of the crazy ones who believes God is calling an entire generation of Samuels to bear his name and to speak his words. In short, we’re called to change our communities, just as Samuel did. No, the call is even greater…to change the world.

It’s interesting that Samuel wasn’t ready to hear the call of God until God came near to him. The text says, “…The LORD came and stood there“. May the LORD bless us with His presence this month, that we might hear His call.