The Promise of Never Missing Out
When God called out three times “Samuel, Samuel!”, as we heard in our first reading this past week, it was almost comical that Samuel kept believing that it was Eli calling him. Finally, by the third time, the old man realized that it must be God that was calling out to the boy. Following Eli’s instruction, Samuel was prepared the fourth time that God called and the scripture says “Now the Lord came and stood there, calling as before, ‘Samuel! Samuel!’ And Samuel said, ‘Speak, for your servant is listening.’” I love the image of our persistent God coming and standing there and repeatedly calling out to the boy who was to become God’s prophet. The strong persistence of God’s call is encouraging and comforting.
FOMO (fear of missing out) not only plays prominent culturally, but can actually have a place in the clinical understanding of anxiety. Especially with all the social media exposure, we can be given the impression that if we don’t pay attention carefully, something may pass us by which can’t be recovered. What we have in the calling of Samuel is the assurance that in the most important things, God is persistent and steadfast. God’s call will not leave us (and for some it may feel like the call won’t leave us alone!). This can sometimes feel small like a persistent urge to reach out to someone for apology and reconciliation or to check in and offer care. This can come to us as a call to speak up for those who may need our voice for their wellbeing as in issues of oppression or justice.
I believe this text and this understanding has an important place in this season in which we explore epiphany(ies) because such an urge or call is at heart a revelation. God’s nudge cannot be fabricated or anticipated. The surprise of what God has in store is certainly always a gift and the promise that in God we will never miss out is good news.
We love you and God loves you.