Mother, May I?

Even a child is known by his doings, whether his work be pure, and whether it be right. Proverbs 20:11

Have you ever played “Mother, May I”? The mother tells each child what to do to get to her. (The mother can be anyone, not just girls.)The mother may ask a child to do butterfly twirls or bunny hops, take giant steps or baby steps. To win, the child must obey the mother’s directions and remember to ask, “Mother, may I?”.

In the book of I Samuel, God literally called Samuel. Samuel thought Eli, the priest, was calling him. Eli was training Samuel to learn obedience, to take care of the tabernacle, and to serve God. God called to Samuel three times. Each time Samuel got out of bed and went to Eli. He never yelled to see what Eli needed. He never ignored what he perceived to be Eli’s voice. Samuel went to check on Eli’s needs. Finally, Eli realized it was God calling Samuel. Eli told Samuel to answer God in this way; “Speak Lord, for your servant is listening.” When God called Samuel for the forth time, Samuel answered God as Eli had instructed. God could have called anyone in the nation of Israel. He called Samuel because Samuel’s heart was prepared to listen and obey.

 Samuel made a great difference in the nation of Israel because of his willingness to obey God rather than please himself. Samuel first had to learn as a child to willingly obey Eli. We all want to make a difference, leave our mark, change the world. God can choose anyone. God wants to choose you. Prepare for the job God has for you. Listen and obey those God is using to train you.