I received this from today's Upper Room...

Suggested Bible Reading:
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. 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."
-1 Samuel 3:1-10 (NRSV)

Today's Scripture:
The Lord came and stood there, calling as at the other times, "Samuel! Samuel!" Then Samuel said, "Speak, for your servant is listening."
-1 Samuel 3:10 (NIV)

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AFTER videotaping a parade in our town, I received a phone call from a good friend who had marched in the parade. He was a little annoyed that I hadn't acknowledged him. I explained that I must not have recognized him because he was in costume. He was more surprised that I hadn't heard him shouting my name when he went right by me. Confused, I played the videotape. To my surprise, I could hear him on the videotape, shouting my name loudly, six times. How could I have missed it?

Thinking back, I realized that I had been so distracted by the colorful lights, the music, and the aromas of food that I had paid no attention to his voice. I began to wonder how many times God speaks to us and we don't hear. We can become so focused on ourselves and distracted by our daily chores that we don't stop to listen for God's guidance.

God may choose many ways to speak to us - for example, through the words of scripture, through sermons, books we read, and the words of Christian friends. We can take the time to listen and, like Samuel, we can learn to recognize God's voice when we hear it. Now I pray for guidance and actively listen for God's answer.
Jerry Bragalone (Pennsylvania, USA)

Prayer:
God, help us to turn away from distractions so that we hear your voice. Amen.

Thought for the Day:
Listen for God's voice today.

Prayer Focus:
Those too distracted to hear God's voice
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* A minister at my church once said that sometimes when he kneels to pray, he takes the time to just sit in silence, in God's prescence just listening, not saying a word.