Mistaken Identity

~~~ 1 Samuel 3:1-10, 19-20 ~~~ Psalm 40 ~~~ Mark 1:29-39 ~~~

Here am I, Lord; I come to do your will.

Young Samuel was sleeping close to the Lord in the Ark of the Covenant.
The closer you bring yourself to the Lord
the more likely you are to hear his voice.
God spoke to Samuel in a dream, but the boy was confused.
He was experiencing mistaken identity.
He thought it was the voice of Eli calling him when in fact it was the Lord.

Eli, being a holy man, eventually directed Samuel
 to identify the voice of the Lord.
It is not surprising that Samuel would listen for the voice
of Eli even while sleeping.
He was Eli's devoted servant. Eli was his elder...his teacher.
Samuel had much love and admiration for Eli.
Eli was the mentor, Samuel the apprentice.

Jesus quietly slips away before dawn to pray.
He separates himself to get recharged with the Spirit.
He has been walking, touching, healing, and forgiving all day every day.

“Everyone is looking for you.”

In his slumber Samuel was not looking for the Lord,
but the Lord sought out this young man.

Imagine if everyone was looking for you?
This reminds me of another time in the scriptures where
everyone is looking for Jesus.
The first time he slips away on his own
 and goes to the temple to preach.
Mary and Joseph have no idea where he has gone.
They are frantically looking for their young son.
Eventually he is found in his Father's house where he belongs.

This time the disciples do not know that Jesus
has withdrawn to pray alone.

Jesus is very independent; he does not have
servants that tend to his daily needs.
He has, however, surrounded himself with a few men
who are willing to take a chance and follow him.

Eli has Samuel as his closest companion.
Through Hannah's prayers and through the wisdom
 and guidance of Eli
Samuel grows up in the grace of God.
God sees a potential in Samuel to accomplish
great things later in his life.

God sees potential in you too.
Are you willing to explore your future with him?
Will you respond...here I am, Lord?
Look inside for there your true identity
 is being blessed by God.
Peace.