Have you ever walked out of a church service of some sort and started chatting to a group of friends and everyone is going on and on about how great the service was? You’re standing there and thinking “Man! Was I even there?” Or perhaps the opposite is true and you’re the only one who felt as though that service was life changing! How is it possible that the presence of the same powerful God can be in the same place and different people have such contrasting experiences?
Well this got me thinking about Samuel. Do you know who Samuel is?
There was a lady named Hannah who was bullied because she was barren for many years. She so desperately wanted a child that she promised the Lord that if she ever bore a child, he (in this case) would be given straight back to Him. God gave her a son and she named him, Samuel. She kept her promise and dedicated Samuel to the Lord. As a result, Samuel lived in the tabernacle with the priest, Eli.
One night, Samuel kept being woken up by an authoritative voice. Naturally, he thought Eli had been calling him and kept pestering the man asking if he had called. This happened a few times until finally Eli advised him to respond to the voice as Eli realised this was God speaking to Samuel.
God called out to Samuel again and Samuel responded – “Speak, your servant is listening.”
And God began to reveal His plans to Samuel…
(Read the story here: 1 Samuel 3)
A few years ago, my church held a seminar on sonship, identity and legacy. My small group (life group, homegroup, cell group – whatever you call it) leader at the time gave me the advice to really pay attention to what will be said and to go with what God is doing. I pitched up and immediately felt like I wanted to rebel. I was giving up a Saturday to be there with a bunch of strangers and all I wanted to do was fly under the radar and get back home. Just before I hopped out my car, the Lord convicted me and said I should engage with the seminar as best I could. I was going to get out of this only what I was willing to.
Choosing to engage that weekend was a life changing decision and God’s overwhelming presence brought healing, restoration and freedom throughout that seminar.
I have felt many times that I just could not connect with God… Usually, I know that my mind is distracted. My own ideas, thoughts, desires, jealousy, hurt, pain, offence – cloud my ability to hear God’s voice.
God’s word gives us a promise in James 4. If we draw near to Him, He will draw near to us! It is a promise! He will respond to you when you respond to Him!
So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world – James 4 Vs 7-8.
Read the whole portion of scripture here: James 4 Vs 1-10
Worship is a choice – it’s a decision we make to respond to what God is doing or saying. It is a response to His awe-inspiring presence. It is a response to who He is.
Choose to listen, choose to respond – God is waiting to reveal His heart to you.
Much love,
Hayden Hayl’
(PS. I wrote this blog post at 03h20 on a Monday morning. I got up unexpectedly from my sleep and could not get this out of my mind. God is always speaking!)
A Worship Diary 