URC Daily Devotion 4 July 2026

1 Samuel 4: 2-10
 
 At that time Eli, whose eyesight had begun to grow dim so that he could not see, was lying down in his room; the lamp of God had not yet gone out, and Samuel was lying down in the temple of the LORD, where the ark of God was.  Then the LORD called, “Samuel! Samuel!” and he said, “Here I am!”  and ran to Eli and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” But he said, “I did not call; lie down again.” So he went and lay down.  The LORD called again, “Samuel!” Samuel got up 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.”  Now Samuel did not yet know the LORD, and the word of the LORD had not yet been revealed to him.  The LORD called Samuel again, a third time. And he got up and went to Eli and said, “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.’ ” So Samuel went and lay down in his place.  Now the LORD came and stood there, calling as before, “Samuel! Samuel!” And Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant is listening.”
 
Reflection
 
I tried to stay away from this reading, but I couldn’t. Quite simply the Reading from 1 Samuel has lived alongside me since I was a teenager if not before. Reflecting on the reading brings alight my journey in faith…a very long journey since I was a child. From a teenager leaving school and stepping into the world of work, marriage, having a family and coping with all the ups and downs of family life, my life followed the path of the majority of women in the 1960s. But my call, just like Samuel’s, was always there, my faith and call to serve were always part of me even if out of sight or hearing.
 
But change came. As my family grew up, going to university as a mature student gave me a wonderful opportunity to study that I relished. I completed a degree and doctorate and returned to work. The call was still there and to Ministry, however the door closed on me twice. The third time the door swung wide open and I journeyed on candidacy and was accepted to train as a Non-Stipendary Minister (Local).
 
The story of Samuel’s call is a reminder that God uses unexpected ways to call followers to serve and in all different ways, a call that is not based on age, ethnicity, gender, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, marital status and disability position but on faith. As I reflect on my life long journey of God’s call and the discernment of my faith I can earnestly and loudly shout… “Speak, your servant is listening”
 
Prayer
 
Loving and gracious God, we are made in Your image,
and are all loved by You whoever we are;
neither age, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation or
disability exclude us from Your call.
You call us by our names, prepare us to hear
and answer Your call, and serve You
in the way You want us to be.
Amen