He’s Calling Your Name

You know what I love about children’s Bibles? They get right to the point. They kick out the Bible’s greatest hits one after another, just leaving out some of the details. But, as someone who is in the middle of a chronological read-through, I appreciate the opportunity to skip over the who-begat-whos every once in a while. Sometimes, it’s nice just to get a lesson out of a quick read.

This “quick lesson” is exactly the sort of thing that happened to me the other night. I was reading a children’s Bible to my daughter, and we happened upon the story of Samuel and Eli. We learned that Samuel had become Eli’s apprentice after being given into the Lord’s service by his mother Hannah (1 Sam. 1). And then, one night, Samuel had a strange experience:

Then the Lord called Samuel. 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.”

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.”

A third time the Lord called, “Samuel!” 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.’”

The Lord came and stood there, calling as at the other times, “Samuel! Samuel!” Then Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant is listening.” (1 Sam. 3, excerpts).

I love this story. I’ve read it before. Truth be told, as a parent of young children who come to see me sometimes in the night, I usually find this story amusing. But this time, it struck me differently. I knew God was saying something to me. Actually, I think he was saying something to a lot of us. Here it is:

1. 1. It’s okay if he has to call you more than once
   2. If he wants you to hear him, he will keep calling.

It was a clear message of comfort, freedom, and reassurance. And, once I got my daughter tucked in, the messages kept coming.

“It’s okay that you didn’t hear me the first time.”

“If you don’t get it the first time, I love you enough to keep calling.”

“I won’t leave you in your ignorance.”

There are so many of us who live with “regretful faith.” We look back on periods of our lives when God tried to reach us but we were not willing to be reached, and we shame ourselves. We consider how he has presented opportunity after opportunity, calling after calling, and we were too chicken to step out. We wonder if he will stick around for another chance. We wonder if he is frustrated with us. We fear that he brought something great before us, but we missed it.

Yes, it’s terrifying to consider that somehow we’ve “missed” God’s best for us.

I cannot answer with finality that God always gives us another chance. Of course, there are sections of Scripture where God has his fill of rebellion and allows consequences. However, I think this scene in Samuel’s life speaks something powerful for those of us who wonder just how much God might persevere to make sure we hear him. How much he will fight through our ignorant, hard-of-hearing hearts to partner with us in his work. How much he loves us and whether he will call our names, over and over again if necessary, until we figure out that it’s his voice.

In the entire Bible, I think one of the most comforting verses is 2 Peter 3:9: “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” I have always viewed this verse through the lens of salvation. However, in light of what we have considered today, I think it lends further evidence that the character of the God we serve is patient, loving, and long-suffering. If he is willing to slow down the fulfillment of his plan for mankind to save every last possible soul, I suspect he may be willing to give us more than one shot at a full life in him as well.

He is patient because he doesn’t want to lose folks. He’s patient because he doesn’t want you to lose out. But most importantly, he’s patient because when we answer and live out our callings, it brings him glory.

He called your name. He’s calling your name. He’s still calling your name.

May we simply say, “Speak, for your servant is listening.”

Anne Rulo is an author, speaker, professional counselor, marriage and family therapist, and veteran coach’s wife. She and her husband Tim have two children and are passionate about reaching people for Christ and sharing information on coaching, marriage, family, and mental health. Read more from Anne at www.annerulo.com.

Photograph © Julian Hochgesang, used with permission