Stillness Leads To New Adventures

Scriptures:

Old Testament – 1 Samuel 3:1-10; Psalm 46:10

New Testament – John 16:12-15

Title: Stillness Leads to New Adventures

Theme: Stillness Leads to New Adventures (Spiritual Formation)

Looking into the life of the young boy Samuel, the older man Samuel and the words of the Psalmist we find some much needed instruction concerning the value of a time of quietness, stillness and peace (not striving).

INTRO

Grace and peace from God the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit who speaks to us and guides us this morning!

Let’s say these words from Psalm 46:10 again –

“Be still and know that I am God”

Quietness.

Silence.

Peace.

Listening.

Those are powerful words.

But do they fit in with our everyday culture?

Or at least do they fit into today’s Western world and perhaps even the ever-changing Eastern World?

Quietness. Silence. Peace. Listening.

And are they necessary?

There are many people that do not crave a world of quietness or silence.

They believe that such a world is too unsettling. It’s too uncomfortable and truth be told some people fear quietness and stillness.

They say, “It’s better to have some noise going on around them.”

“After all, life is to be lived, lived with action and noise, with celebration and activity.”

That is very true. Life is filled with action, with noise and celebration and with activity.

But no one ever said that being quiet, still or not striving is inactive

Stillness is not emptiness.

Stillness can lead to deep, meaningful activity involving the heart, mind and soul.

You see, we all need times of quietness, silence, of not striving and of great peace.

In our readings this morning the idea of being at peace, being still and not striving is not only found but promoted. So, too, is the activity of listening and obeying.

Let’s take a few moments and look at all this a bit more deeply.

I. Stillness led Samuel to a New Calling –

The Bible tells us that Samuel had been a part of Eli’s family since he was weaned as a child by his mother Hannah. His back story can be found in 1 Samuel chapters 1-2 and is quite a good read. The Jewish historian Josephus believed Samuel was around 11-12 years old at the time of this supernatural encounter.

The Bible also tells us that Samuel grew up to be quite a pivotal figure in the life of the Israelite people. Even though he was not from the tribe of Levi, he would be called by the Lord to be a Judge of Israel, a Prophet of the Lord as well as a Priest in offering up sacrifices to the LORD God Almighty.

“To whom God calls – God calls – it is only up to those whom He calls to be able to hear and obediently respond.”

And as we see in Samuel’s case, to be able to hear and answer one must take some time to be quiet and be still.

Three times the LORD comes to Samuel, but the first two times Samuel is so busy in his heart and mind that he fails to understand what is going on. He thinks that it is Eli the old priest that is calling him. And being faithful to his duties he wants to take care of Eli.

Now, even though Eli is not the best of priests (actually, he is a horrible priest), he does give Samuel some great advice

-Go back and lay down – be still and listen.

Don’t try to overthink anything – don’t strive - just be receptive – just be still. Be focused on hearing and then obeying. Be focused on being available.

What great advice from the old priest.

Samuel goes back to his bed determined to be still. To be still and wait for the voice to speak to him again.

The voice does speak and the Bible tells us that Samuel responded with these great words – Speak Lord, for your servant hears.

Speak, Lord for your servant hears.

All of this can lead to asking the question – Will or Does God speak to us today?

The Lord tells us in Jeremiah 33:3 – “Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.”

Jesus tells us - “But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.” – John 16:13

If there is anything that I have learned during my time here on God’s Good Earth is that there are hundreds of ways that God talks to us. But for us to hear Him we must do as Samuel did: