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“Use me in a way that will be pleasing to you”. These were words I had uttered during every prayer session for as long as I could remember. I wanted God to use me. I wanted to change the world. I felt defeated when I didn’t seem to ever get my answer. It was until I realized that it wasn’t that God wasn’t answering it was that I wasn’t answering the call that true magic began to happen.
This week’s reading reminded me of those many prayerful nights. Hannah has always been a weak point for me. I understand her need and I understand how she felt misunderstood. What I find remarkable is that instead of just accepting her life the way it was she chose to stand firm in her faith in God that He and He alone could give her all of her deepest desires. She wanted more than just a husband who adored her. She wanted to birth a man who would one day be used for God. She knew her purpose was to be a mother and she knew that God would make the seemingly impossible happen.
And Elkanah, her husband, said to her, “Hannah, why do you weep? And why do you not eat? And why is your heart sad? Am I not more to you than ten sons?” 1 Samuel 1:8
Hannah was so filled with this faith that she didn’t care what others thought. Instead, she spoke with God from her heart. So much so that those around her thought she was drunk. Hannah was a woman who was misunderstood by all those around her but cherished by God. God had a special plan for her and her unborn son. Hannah had answered her calling. Even though it caused everyone around her confusion even the Priest who was supposed to provide her with counsel.
Do not regard your servant as a worthless woman, for all along I have been speaking out of my great anxiety and vexation.” 1 Samuel 1:16
True to her word when God blessed her with a son, Hannah gave back her son to God for Him to use him in the way that God felt best. She was joyful. Hannah had fulfilled the calling she knew that God had for her. Hannah had answered the call and was able to take comfort in that.
And Hannah prayed and said, “My heart exults in the LORD; my horn is exalted in the LORD. My mouth derides my enemies, because I rejoice in your salvation. 1 Samuel 2:1
Of course, Hannah’s faithfulness didn’t stop there. She visited Samuel yearly bringing him a new robe. I imagine this trip was hard. To see your son and to know that you will have to turn around and leave after a short visit. Makes my momma’s heart want to cry just reading it. However, God again stepped in to take care of Hannah a woman drunken with the Spirit by giving her more children.
Indeed the LORD visited Hannah, and she conceived and bore three sons and two daughters. And the boy Samuel grew in the presence of the LORD. 1 Samuel 2:21
Samuel is then approached by God. Of course, like most of us, he was a little confused. He was certain in the beginning that it was Eli who was calling him. After all, isn’t that a struggle for us all. Trying to decide if what we are being called to do is because of the world or is it from God? Yet, just like Hannah, Samuel was faithful in answering the call.
And the LORD came and stood, calling as at other times, “Samuel! Samuel!” And Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant hears.” 1 Samuel 3:10
Acknowledging we have been called is sometimes the easiest part. It is when we are faced with the fact that we must share with others what we have been called to do that can be the scariest. This week I thought about Samuel and how it must have felt for him having to share with Eli what had been revealed to him. After all, Eli had been his mentor for years. They had a relationship that resembled more than what a normal priest has with its members.
Samuel lay until morning; then he opened the doors of the house of the LORD. And Samuel was afraid to tell the vision to Eli. 1 Samuel 3:15
Yet, being a Christian and accepting your calling means that you have to step out of your comfort zone. You have to be willing to trust God even when you are scared of what the outcome may be. God calls us to be faithful and to trust.
So Samuel told him everything and hid nothing from him. And he said, “It is the LORD. Let him do what seems good to him.” 1 Samuel 3:18
We were also reminded this week that following our calling should be without fear. I know easier said than done but God truly does care and care for His people. We were reminded of this in 1 Samuel 4 and in 1 Samuel 5.
What Can We Take From This Week’s Reading?
This week we were hit with a lot of simple truths. Many of which that are somewhat hard to swallow much less follow daily. Here are just a few that jumped out at me this week.
- Every one of us has a calling.
- No calling is greater than another calling.
- Daily we are teaching our children how to answer their own calling in Christ.
- In order to receive our calling, we need to get honest with God. Even if it means looking a little crazy.
- Having a calling requires us to get real about what is in our hearts.
- Fulfilling our callings is not meant to be easy.
- God is always faithful to those who are faithful to Him.
Until Next Time Just Keep Soaring 4 Him,
I am blogging through the Bible with some great friends. Each week we share our thoughts on passages that we are reading together through the week. It is amazing to me just how God is laying different things on each of our hearts. You do not have to be a blogger to join in. In fact, the main goal of Good Morning Girls is to encourage women of God to dedicate a little of their time each morning to seeking wisdom from God’s Word. To join us simply click on the image below and it will take you directly to Good Morning Girls where you will find our reading plan, free study materials and wonderful words of inspiration.
Also don’t forget to check out my besties who also happen to be on the Good Morning Girls leadership team.
Courtney from Women Living Well
Mandy from Worshipful Living
Rosilind from A Little R&R
Misty from Beautiful Ashes
I would like to invite you to my Facebook group Christian Homemakers in Training where we dive into homemaking, motherhood, marriage and group devotions. After all, we all need a safe place to grow together, right?
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