Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening

“Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.” ( 1 Sam 3:9)

Today we hear three different versions of a central theme…Look - listen - pay attention, or you will miss God’s call to you. The call that will bring you into direct and right relationship with God and into loving and compassionate community with those in the world around you.

Today’s reading from 1 Samuel is, for me, the simplest, yet the most eloquent, expression of this theme as it has played out in my life - perhaps Samuel’s struggle to identify who it is that is calling to to him and what is required of him through that call rings true in your lives as well.

Samuel’s story reminds me of a time in my life that was not terribly good. A time when I was most definitely lost and lonely. A time when my little bubble of a “dream world” crumbled and I was truly alone in a wilderness that I had never before experienced.

As I strolled down the main street of the small town that I had settled in for a time of re-grouping, I passed the local Episcopal Church. It was a very large church with bright red doors and a big “Welcome” sign posted on the lawn. Let me hasten to add that although I had been born and raised in the Episcopal Church, I had not entered any red, or any other color, Episcopal doors for quite a few years.

There was really no reason in my current state of self-pity for me to even look at this particular church, or its red doors, but… but I heard a call. I heard a call that was loud and clear. I heard a call that said, “Come in.”

At first I hesitated. “Why should I go in? It’s the middle of the week, no one is around, what purpose would it serve?” I started to walk on.

“Come in,” said the voice again. I stopped mid-stride and turned back to look at the red doors. “The doors are probably locked,” I said to myself. But the voice persisted, “Come in,” it commanded.

Reluctantly, I turned back, furtively approached the doors and turned the big brass knob. The door opened. OK, now I was in real trouble. No turning back at this point, so in I went.

It was a big and very beautiful church. I looked around for a few moments and then decided to sit down. Perhaps, I thought, I should pray for help. So, down I sat and began my confused comments to God - I would hardly call these comments a prayer.

Very soon I noticed a priest standing next to my pew. “Can I help you,” he asked. Looking up I experienced a huge wave of relief, and after a moment I answered, “Yes.”

So began my journey back into right relationship with God. A journey in which the Spirit has sometimes gently, sometimes harshly, directed me away from my “dream bubble” world and the tantalizing temptations of prestige, power and money. A journey that has been from time to time, bumpy, scary, smooth, and peace-filled. A journey that has been sometimes incredibly bold and daring, and sometimes incredibly calm and collaborative. A journey that has taken me to places, both physical and spiritual, that I would have never dreamed possible. A journey that has landed me here at Christ Church, St. Michaels Parish.

I am quite certain that there is no one here today who has not experienced a life situation similar to mine. At some point, no matter how privileged, we all come to a time of rough waters; a time that leaves us questioning, seriously questioning, the work that we are doing and the values that we hold.

I am also quite certain that I am not unique in experiencing a call from God. Indeed, I think you would all agree that God calls each and every one of us, each and every day - every moment of every day. The call from God is always there, but not always heard. I believe rather that we, like Samuel, like Paul and like Jesus’ disciples, experience specific moments in our lives in which we hear God’s call - we hear it loudly and clearly. The question for us then is, when we hear our call from God, do we listen to it? Do we respond as Samuel responded, “Speak, Lord, your servant is listening.”

And, once we have cried out, “Speak, Lord, your servant is listening,” how do we respond to what we hear?

Our response, of course, is key, for if we do not listen with open hearts and open minds, God’s call will fade from our hearing, it will be gone as quickly as it appeared.

If, however, we respond with the eyes and the ears of our heart wide open - if we welcome God into our lives, his call will increase in volume and meaning as we embark on our Spirit-led journey away from the “dream bubble,” and into right relationship with God.

Opening our hearts and minds to God’s call allows us the opportunity to become members of the loving and compassionate communion of saints, who act as a light to the world - a light that shines brightly enough for those in darkness to come out of the darkness and into the grace-filled world of hope and salvation.

My friends this “listening” and “responding” is tough stuff - hard work. It requires courage, endurance and patience. It requires love and forgiveness in situations that are appallingly anger-provoking; patience and courage in situations that are horrifically tragic; dignity and leadership in confusing and frightening wilderness situations; and above all, it requires faith and perseverance as we go into the world carrying forward the mission of Jesus Christ - to love and to serve, in peace.

Responding to God’s call is not for the feint at heart. Throughout Scripture we witness the trials and tribulations of those chosen by God to be his servants. Beginning with Abraham in Genesis right through to the New Testament gospels, we are witness to countless calls from God and their outcome. The overarching story of God’s call to mankind culminates, of course, in the incarnation, teaching and healing, crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ, who though his life and death created a standard for us to set for ourselves in our life’s journey.

God calls us to be one with him through living a life that in word and deed reflects our baptismal vows - to live in prayerful community; to repent and return when we have gone astray; to proclaim the good news of Christ in word and deed; to seek the Christ in all whom we encounter; to love our neighbors as ourselves; to seek justice and peace for all; to respect the dignity of every human being.

To live, as Walter Brueggemann would say, “for the good of the neighborhood.”

Beautiful words - wonderful thoughts - however, a very complex and difficult job description.

As I indicated earlier, my journey since responding to God’s call to “Come in” has not been smooth sailing guided by some fancy GPS instrument that ensures getting from one point to another without, many times over, getting lost.

My journey has not always allowed me to be politically correct, to live in comfort, or to know what is just around the bend.

However, I can tell you - and I would imagine that you could tell me when discussing your own journeys - that it has been, and is, a journey from which there is no turning back - neither the desire nor the possibility. It is a journey that I share with many people - all of you included. It is a journey led by our Savior Jesus Christ - our travel companion and guide the Holy Spirit. It is a journey to which God has called us through his Son Jesus Christ who said, “Follow me.” It is a journey in which we travel beyond the cross to the world of darkness that yearns for the light of Christ and the salvation of God. AMEN