Samuel was a Hebrew prophet who was raised from childhood in the Temple by the high priest, Eli, who was his spiritual mentor and likely a father figure to him as well. One night, while sleeping in the Temple, Samuel heard a voice calling him. Twice he went to Eli, thinking that the voice was Eli's; twice Eli told Samuel he didn't call him and told him to go back to bed. The third time Samuel came to  Eli saying, "Here I am, for you called me. Then Eli perceived that the Lord was calling the boy. Therefore Eli said to Samuel, 'Go lie down; and if he calls you, you shall say, 'Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.'" (1 Samuel 3:8-9).

God's voice to most of us is not as clear as his words were to Samuel that night. But Samuel still needed help to recognize the voice as coming from God and to encourage him to listen to the words of God. There are a few simple takeaways from Samuel's experience as told to us in 1 Samuel, Ch. 3. First, Samuel was in the Temple when he heard God's voice. This doesn't mean we have to be in church to hear God, but it does mean we need to be in a place where we are able to listen for God's voice. It's hard to listen when we surround ourselves with noise and activities. Second, Samuel was open and receptive to God's message. Although he didn't understand the voice as coming from God, he was inquisitive enough to get up and go seek out answers. Finally, Samuel didn't rely on his own understanding of what was happening; he sought out the advice of Eli, someone who would be able to help him discern what was happening in his life.

Do you set aside time in your day to listen for the voice of God? In your faith journey, do you have someone who is walking with you to help you figure things out on occasion when you need a little nudge? Can you be that kind of person for someone else?