“Here I am,” a sentiment that always touches my heart, was uttered by the youthful Samuel being called out of sleep by God. We know the story. Samuel doesn’t realize God is calling him until he mistakenly rouses Eli three times, at which Eli tells him to go back to sleep and, if awakened again, respond thus to God: “Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening” (Samuel 3:1-11). This experience was the crossroads for Samuel when he began to know and serve God.
It is written that in the days of Samuel the word of God was rare. Not so today when we have the Holy Spirit living within us to reveal the Word and lead us to Christ. We are called to give of ourselves so that we may receive the gifts Christ offers. Consider our lives a balancing act between giving to others and giving to ourselves. We give to others through our love and work, out of generosity as caretakers.
“Love one another as I have loved you” is the summit of Christ’s call. It is not an easy task because the inclination to love must permeate every moment of our day. Giving love requires us to discipline our thoughts, words and deeds toward goodness. We will spend our lifetimes directing our attitudes to the positive, steering them to think about, speak and act on that which is good. Oh, but what greater work is there!
“Work,” write the United States bishops in the stewardship pastoral, is our “noble effort.” Created with talents and strengths, we have the innate desire to grow them to capacity. Doing so fulfills our purpose and brings us happiness. It takes little effort to realize that we are at our happiest when we share what we have – our work, talents, strengths, and material things. After all, we are created to care for the physical world and one other. Giving of ourselves through a genuine spirit of generosity is foundational to enjoying a Christ-centered life.
What about giving to ourselves as Christians? It seems such an odd thing to say. But recall that first of all, Jesus worked out of goodness, accepting that he became human for a purpose: to bring us the gift of eternal life. Jesus carved out quiet time for prayer and renewal. He even withdrew to the sea to escape the crowds! Because of his unswerving communion with God, Jesus grew in the dignity, steadfastness and wisdom necessary to fulfill his purpose. As we do with faithfulness.
What more is there to say about these musings on God’s call to Samuel and to us, but to share St. Ignatius of Antioch’s great summary about faith and love? “They are,” he says, “the beginning and the end of life: faith the beginning, love the end. When these two are found together, there is God, and everything else concerning right living follows from them.”
So I lead you to participate in the day-long diocesan stewardship conference on Saturday, April 21st to Discover, Define and Deliver Your Strengths. While I’ll write more about it soon, call me now to order the book, Living Your Strengths and discover your top five personal strengths and ways you can develop your God-given gifts. Mine are ideation, input, intellection, competition and strategic. I’m here at 573-635-9127.
And so I pray: Dear Lord, my heart aches for your perfect love. Let me hear your call and respond in service and faith.
“Here I am,” a sentiment that always touches my heart, was uttered by the youthful Samuel being called out of sleep by God. We know the story. Samuel doesn’t realize God is calling him until he mistakenly rouses Eli three times, at which Eli tells him to go back to sleep and, if awakened again, respond thus to God: “Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening” (Samuel 3:1-11). This experience was the crossroads for Samuel when he began to know and serve God. 