There’s something powerful that happens when we slow down long enough to listen.
Not just talk to God.
Not just bring requests.
But actually… listen.
That kind of quiet doesn’t come easy. Life is loud. Schedules are full. Our minds are constantly moving. But when we create space—real, intentional space—we begin to notice something:
God is already speaking.
The question isn’t if He’s speaking.
The question is—are we listening?
In 1 Samuel 3, we meet Samuel—a young man who had spent his life around the things of God.
He lived in the temple.
He was mentored by Eli the priest.
He was physically close to the presence of God.
And yet… when God called his name, he didn’t recognize the voice.
That’s surprising, isn’t it?
It reminds us of something deeply true:
Proximity to God DOESN'T always mean clarity from God.
You can be around church.
Around Scripture.
Around worship.
…and still not recognize when God is speaking.
But here’s the good news:
God doesn’t wait for perfect understanding.
He calls first.
Before clarity.
Before confidence.
Before we have it all figured out.
He calls your name.
Samuel didn’t get it right the first time.
Or the second.
It took three moments of confusion before Eli finally helped him understand what was happening.
“Go back,” Eli told him, “and if He calls you again, say:
Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.”
And that’s when everything shifted.
Because hearing God isn’t just about RECOGNIZING His voice—
it’s about RESPONDING to it.
That simple prayer—
“Speak, Lord… I’m listening”—
is powerful.
But it’s also risky.
Because we love the idea of hearing from God…
we’re just not always ready for what He might say.
God doesn’t just speak to comfort us.
He speaks to transform us.
To stretch us.
To challenge us.
To call us into things we wouldn’t choose on our own.
And still—He invites us to listen.
One of the most beautiful parts of Samuel’s story is Eli.
He wasn’t perfect.
In fact, he had plenty of flaws.
But in this moment, he did something right:
He pointed Samuel back to God.
Again and again.
“Samuel, it’s not me.”
“Go back.”
“Listen for Him.”
That’s discipleship.
It’s not about having all the answers.
It’s about helping people recognize God’s voice in their lives.
Because faith was never meant to stop with us.
As Samuel grew, his calling became clear—not just to hear God, but to help others return to Him.
In 1 Samuel 7, he calls the people of Israel to turn away from the idols that had taken hold of their hearts.
And they respond.
They let go.
They return.
They choose God again.
And it all started with one voice… willing to speak.
That’s the calling we carry too.
Not just to grow in our own faith.
Not just to experience God personally.
But to help others find their way back to Him.
Because anything that takes first place in our lives—
anything that controls, consumes, or defines us—
can quietly become an idol.
And part of loving people well is helping them see what might be pulling them away from God… and gently pointing them back.
So What Now?
Maybe the question today isn’t just:
“Am I following God?”
Maybe it’s also:
Who am I helping find their way back to Him?
SO WHAT DO I DO WITH THIS?
Take a few minutes each day to be still.
No agenda.
No pressure.
No performance.
Just sit.
Breathe.
And pray:
“Speak, Lord… Your servant is listening.”
You might not hear anything right away.
That’s okay.
Because God’s presence isn’t dependent on what you feel—
it’s rooted in who He is.
A God who is always speaking.
Always moving.
Always drawing you closer.
A Take Away
You were chosen—for good.
Not just to know God…
but to help others know Him too.
So listen closely.
Respond faithfully.
And be someone who helps others pivot back to Him.
Blessings,
-Pastor Alex
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Discovering God is a fresh look at how God is moving in our lives. Rooted in the Crossroads Church community, we reflect on sermons, share stories, and explore everyday moments where God invites us to grow. Join us as we take steps toward Him together. Learn more at www.wearecrossroads.church.
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