Being a Servant of the Lord is More Than Doing the Lord’s Work

“¹Now the young man Samuel was ministering to the Lord under Eli…” – 1 Samuel 3:1 (ESV)

You can see above that Samuel was doing the Lord’s Work under the tutelage of Eli. Samuel had been learning the work of the Lord and yet he did not know God. And so, God called him three times, to which Samuel went to Eli believing it was he that called him.

How often have I missed the calling of the Lord as I have not worked to know Him? How often have I just been so focused on God’s Work and not heard Him reaching out to me for some other purpose?

Eli recognized that the Lord was calling Samuel and advised him to answer. Three times Samuel was called. Shouldn’t I realize I should answer or go well before the forth time as Samuel?

And when he finally “heard the Lord” he answered;

“¹⁰And the Lord came and stood, calling as at other times, ‘Samuel! Samuel!’ And Samuel said, ‘Speak, for your servant hears.’” – 1 Samuel 3:10 (ESV)

Samuel knew the work he was doing with Eli was for the glory of the Lord, however he did not really know the Lord until this moment. I have to listen and steal away from doing all the “work” and allow God to speak to me so that I can understand the work I am doing and how it will glorify Him.

When you are doing the work, is your head down so much that you are missing out on the instruction? Are you so focused on serving that you miss the reason for the work? Are you aware that serving is more than just doing, and sometimes you have to listen?