WATCHWORD:
45 But the disciples didn’t know what he meant, for their minds had been sealed and they were afraid to ask him. 46 Now came an argument among them as to which of them would be greatest in the coming Kingdom! 47 But Jesus knew their thoughts, so he stood a little child beside him 48 and said to them, “Anyone who takes care of a little child like this is caring for me! And whoever cares for me is caring for God who sent me. Your care for others is the measure of your greatness.” Luke 9:45-48
8 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. 9 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. 10 The Lord came and stood there, calling as at the other times, “Samuel! Samuel!” Then Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant is listening.” Samuel 3:8-10
Meditation:
Speak, Lord, for Your Servant Is Listening
In past Watchwords, we have talked about listening to the voice of God coming to us through the Holy Spirit within. I wonder if we are expecting words, whole sentences, or specific instructions on how to live each moment of our lives. And maybe there are times when that actually happens but maybe we are too distracted by things in our lives and God’s word becomes distorted and we wonder, like the apostles, what is He saying or what does He mean? Am I supposed to do something?
How does God speak in your life? Have you heard Him in whispers and inspirations that touch you at just the right time, and the right circumstance? Or did His message come to you in the positive test for Covid-19 that required you to step out of your rushing life activities for a time? His meaning? “Take a break.” Or maybe He spoke to you in the adversity experienced by a loved one, a friend, and you felt called to respond. The voice of God is varied and versatile, and so we must be attentive.
Does the voice of God sometimes come in conflict with our own wants and desires? Of course. Does it occur to you that the voice of God comes to us in Scriptures, through his son, and regardless of what the message is, every message, without exception, reflects the two Greatest Commandments, to love God and love others.
No law, no commandment, can require you to be happy or sad, or would help you set aside your self-centeredness, or your moods. Often times the voice of God comes to us and requires us to step up, to take action, to do the first thing. How does one love others as he loves us without doing that? This is not brain surgery, this is not trying to figure out the software on your computer, this is straightforward. You are a child of God, and you live your life with God alongside and within you. How much more security do you need to do the right thing?
We are God’s children, and being blessed is enough. Speak, Lord, Your Servant is listening. Amen.
Happy Birthday!
Over the past week or so, we have noted significant birthdays of 85 and 75 years, and nearly everything in between, and in celebrating we come to realize more clearly that God is in charge and has granted long and rich lives. With each year, we realize that God has graced, not only the person we honor, but you and me, with time. Yes, we say it passes too quickly, but if we were to honestly glance back over this past year, we would realize that God had a purpose – times of joy, times of overcoming difficulties, time of friendship and compassion, times of loving and being loved. Yes, happy birthday, not just for a particular day, but for all of us who celebrate another year, a gift and grace from our Lord. In the often repeated words of the friend who just turned 85, “May our good Lord bless us all!” Amen.
Closing Prayer:
I believe, Lord, that You are here present. Although my eyes do not see You my faith senses You. Take any stray thoughts from my mind. Make me understand the truths which You wish to teach me in this time of meditation and prayer. Let me make up my mind to put them into practice. Your servant is listening; speak Lord, to my soul. Amen.
