God Is Speaking…are You Listening?

When God calls your name, how do you respond?

The story of Samuel in 1 Samuel 3 takes place during a season of spiritual silence. Scripture tells us that “the word of the Lord was rare; there were not many visions.” Israel wasn’t abandoned by God, but it was spiritually dry. Leadership was compromised. Eli, the high priest, had lost both physical and spiritual clarity. Yet it’s in this very moment that God chooses to speak—to a young boy, likely no older than fourteen. That alone should give us hope.

Spiritual Silence Is Not God’s Absence

Spiritual silence does not mean God is absent. More often, it is the setup for His next move. Samuel lived in the house of God. He served faithfully, tending the lamp and ensuring the light never went out. Yet Scripture tells us that Samuel did not yet know the Lord, because the word of the Lord had not yet been revealed to him. Proximity to holy things had not yet translated into personal recognition of God’s voice. Being close to church increases the chances of hearing God’s voice—but proximity alone is not the same as relationship. Salvation, transformation, and calling are not found in attendance, but in response. Still, it matters that Samuel was there. It matters that he was serving. God often speaks most clearly in dry seasons, and He is not limited by age, experience, or position.

Learning to Recognize God’s Voice

When Samuel hears his name in the night, he assumes it is Eli calling. Three times he runs to him, eager and ready. Three times Eli sends him back to bed—until finally, Eli realizes what is happening. Despite Eli’s flaws, God still uses him. Eli’s failures had contributed to the spiritual dryness of the nation, yet he was not disqualified from helping Samuel discern God’s voice. God often uses imperfect people to guide others—and that’s good news, because imperfect people are all He has. Calling is rarely discovered in isolation. God shapes it through community, guidance, and relationship. If Samuel had not had Eli, he may never have understood what was happening. And if Eli had disqualified himself because of his own shortcomings, Samuel may never have heard God’s voice clearly. We need one another. We need spiritual guides. And we must not allow our imperfections to silence our obedience or our influence.

“Speak, Lord, for Your Servant Is Listening”

When God finally calls Samuel directly—“Samuel, Samuel”—everything changes. This double call marks a turning point. It signifies intimacy, intention, and transition. In that moment, Samuel moves from servant boy to prophet. His response is simple, humble, and available: “Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.” God does not force obedience. He calls—but response is our responsibility. This moment teaches us a defining truth: availability matters more than ability, and response determines destiny. Samuel had no experience. He didn’t recognize God’s voice at first. But he was available, and availability opened the door to obedience.

Obedience Can Be Costly

Samuel’s first message from God was not encouraging or easy. It was painful. God revealed judgment against Eli’s household, and Samuel was entrusted with delivering that message to the very man who had helped him hear God’s voice in the first place. This was a heavy assignment for a young boy. Yet Scripture tells us that Samuel told Eli everything, hiding nothing. No softening. No editing. Just obedience. Sometimes God chooses the unfiltered obedience of the young or the willing because they simply say what God says. Where experience might tempt us to adjust the message, Samuel spoke it plainly. Because of that obedience, Samuel’s life was marked by God’s presence. None of his words fell to the ground. Everything God spoke through him came to pass. What began as a test became a lifetime of calling.

God Is Still Calling

Samuel was not searching for a calling. He was simply available. In the quiet of the night, God spoke—and the same is true today. The lamp of God has not gone out. God continues to speak through Scripture, worship, creation, conversation, and community. The question is not whether God is speaking. The question is whether we are listening. Some of us may feel like we are in a season where the word of the Lord feels rare. Others may be close to the things of God, yet still learning to recognize His voice. Some may already know what God is saying—but obedience feels costly.

Samuel shows us the way forward. Availability matters more than ability. Obedience unlocks lasting impact. When God calls your name, He is not just trying to get your attention. He is inviting you into a life shaped by intimacy, obedience, and purpose. Our response can be the same as Samuel’s: “Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.”

Pastor Kevin Kirkland