Now the boy Samuel was ministering to the LORD under Eli. The word of the LORD was rare in those days; visions were not widespread. A t 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."

-1 Samuel 3:1-10 (NRSV)

YEARS ago I attended the funeral of Ralph Callahan, a man who at age 93 had been the oldest working journalist in my state, Alabama. Because of his senior status, Ralph liked to say that he had a "license to reminisce." He was especially grateful to still be involved in a profession that he loved. The minister at the funeral talked about Ralph's zest for living, saying that life for Ralph was never a spectator sport. He was a player.

When I joined my church, I asked myself, Will I be a player or a spectator? "Here am I. Send me," we read in Isaiah. But saying yes to a call to discipleship can be hard, especially if it takes us out of our comfort zone. Saying no is easy. I wonder, What if God said no to us as many times as we say no to God?

Saying yes to God and being active in God's work helps us grow spiritually. This doesn't necessarily mean being seen and heard. All of us can serve in quiet and humble ways known only to God. We have many opportunities to do so. Discipleship means being a servant and, as Jesus showed us, putting others ahead of ourselves.

I'm trying to respond when I hear God's call. It's hard sometimes, heeding God's voice. But when we do we receive great blessings.

Ed Williams (Alabama, USA)

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