“It has been a long VBS week – and it is only Wednesday.” With this thought, many left the Summit building – ready for a good night of revitalizing sleep. However, at 12:55 a.m. someone accidentally called my cell. Apparently, I answered the phone. I even announced who the caller was – but I have no recollection. I continued to sleep like a baby, even waking up wonderfully refreshed. Unfortunately, Douwene woke up with that hairstyle that speaks volumes.
As a young child, Samuel was taught a valuable lesson – don’t get involved in God’s work if you cannot handle interruptions. In 1 Samuel 3, young Samuel is asleep “near where the ark of God was”. Then it happened…
1 Samuel 3:4 (ESV) — 4 Then the Lord called Samuel, and he said, “Here I am!”
Young Samuel thought it was Eli calling. But Eli told him to go back to sleep. Then it happened again…
1 Samuel 3:6 (ESV) — 6 And the Lord called again, “Samuel!” and Samuel arose and went to Eli and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” But he said, “I did not call, my son; lie down again.”
Only after being awoken the 3rd time did the aged Eli figure it out.
1 Samuel 3:8–9 (ESV) — 8 And the Lord called Samuel again the third time. And he arose and went to Eli and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” Then Eli perceived that the Lord was calling the boy. 9 Therefore Eli said to Samuel, “Go, lie down, and if he calls you, you shall say, ‘Speak, Lord, for your servant hears.’ ” So Samuel went and lay down in his place.
While writing this article the same number has called 4 times. “Speak, for your servant hears.”
Thank you so very much to everyone who participated in this year’s VBS. Enjoy your well-deserved rest. And in the words of our M.C., Steve Proctor, “Don’t use Laura’s name for at least a week”.
The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (1 Sa 3:10). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.
