I have been reading the Old Testament book of 1 Samuel and when, in chapter 3, Samuel has his first real encounter with the Lord there is someone there to help him pay attention and discern what is happening. Though Eli, the priest at the time, was seemingly ineffective in his own home and with his own sons, God still used him to help the young boy Samuel recognize God’s voice and respond in submission to that word from the Lord. What a gift it is to have people come alongside us on our journey of faith and assist us in hearing the Lord’s voice. It is one of the many graces God shows us along the way. But it also significant in that it connects us to the ongoing conversation God longs to initiate and sustain with us. Samuel’s encounter with the Lord was initiated by the Lord in the particular place of the tabernacle at Shiloh under the guidance of the priest Eli. This revelation occurred in a context where Eli, the more experienced listener, could assist Samuel in interpreting his experience with the Lord. I am grateful for those in my faith journey who have assisted me in hearing and recognizing the voice of the Lord.

When I was in college I struggled finding a vocational path. I had a great respect for my father, who was a doctor and an amazing surgeon. I watched how he loved his work and the people for whom he cared. When I was a young boy he invited me to accompany him on his rounds at the hospital where he would visit his patients and assess how they were doing after surgery. He always entered the room with great exuberance and then with tender care would observe their condition and surgical wound. Then he might share a verse of scripture or just pray for them. He didn’t force religion on them but by means of God’s word and prayer just encouraged them as they recovered. It was inspiring to watch, even as a little boy. So when it came time for me to choose a major I wanted to honor my father, as much as anything else, so I chose the path of biology with the intent of becoming a doctor. What I discovered, after several monumental failures in my science classes, was that I was not disciplined enough or adept enough in the sciences to ever make it through medical school. The world should be grateful that I didn’t become a doctor. I can’t imagine the havoc I would have wrought upon humankind.

At this point I had two things occur which helped me to discern God’s voice. The first came from a man who was a significant mentor to me. I respected his ministry in my life and the life of others and his words held significance in my life. He sat me down, asked me what my future intentions were, and then suggested I consider full time church ministry. I was honored that he would say this to me, but I told him I was considering medicine. Later, when I realized that I did not possess the aptitude in the sciences needed to become a doctor I revisited his words. My dilemma was that I did not want to disappoint my father by abandoning medicine as a career. I remember going to my father and sharing with him, with great fear of disappointing him, my intention of studying for the ministry and his response was amazing to me. He said he thought that I would have made a good doctor, but that he would have been disappointed with me if I hadn’t at least considered the ministry. Later, when I sensed a more particular impression regarding the ministry of writing and performing music, my father, having watched the joy I experienced in sharing a song, encouraged me to follow that path.

I am so much like Samuel, who experienced the Lord’s voice, but needed help in recognizing the source of that voice. I was blessed to have two wise guides, spiritual directors one might say, that helped me discern the voice of the Lord and follow Him. For me those voices directing me to listen to the Lord have been invaluable. They are a gift of God’s grace. I am grateful, especially to my father, who listened with me and then got out of the way so that I might hear what God had for me. May this song help you further reflect on God’s gracious provision of wise guides for the journey.