“We often miss hearing God’s voice simply because we aren’t paying attention.” – Rick Warren

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Listen to the PODCAST version of Today’s Contemplation by clicking HERE.

For a deeper reflection, listen to my song “Turn Off the Noise” on YouTube by clicking HERE

My albums and books Mercy Reigns & Listen to Your Heart are available for purchase HERE. Also available on Amazon.

Thank you!

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1 Samuel 3:6-7

Again the LORD called Samuel, who rose and went to Eli. “Here I am,” he said. “You called me.” But he answered, “I did not call you, my son. Go back to sleep.” Samuel did not yet recognize the LORD, since the word of the LORD had not yet been revealed to him.

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This is a very meaningful passage today about a young minister named Samuel under the mentorship of Eli.

Samuel is awakened from his sleep by the voice of God calling him.

But, as the passage states, Samuel did not yet recognize the voice since the word of God had not yet been revealed to him.

It takes three attempts by God with Samuel returning to Eli each time, before Eli realizes that Samuel is not dreaming.

Eli tells Samuel that the next time this happens, to answer: “Speak, for your servant is listening.”

This is a great story for each of us to place ourselves into.

Have you heard God call you?

I have heard the call, but I admit, it’s not always easy to determine if the voice is God’s or mine.

It takes discernment.

The more you are in tune with God, the more you set aside time for listening in contemplative prayer, for meditation like Centering Prayer, for being present to life, the easier it is to hear the call.

It might not be in audible words.

It might be more of a feeling, more of a nudge in your heart.

One major time this happened in my life was when I was at the depths of despair over my career path.

I was a successful radio news anchor, but I was miserable.

The call came on the first Friday of March in 1997 as I sat dejected on my living room couch, wondering what I could possibly do to change my life.

At the moment I said, “I give up,” I heard in my heart, “Get your guitar.”

Since I hadn’t touched my guitar in ten years, that was a really bizarre thing to hear!

Long-story short, I started playing my guitar and writing songs.

The songs led me back to college for a graduate degree in Religious and Pastoral Studies, and ten years after hearing the call – I left my career in radio news and entered ministry.

I now have four albums of original music about my spiritual journey in this human experience.

I’ve written two devotional books to help others on their journeys.

The truth is, the call of God could also have been heard in my daily dis-ease over life in general.

When you are in tune with the Spirit within you, you begin to allow the Spirit to guide you.

It’s how Jesus could tell his followers in today’s Gospel reading from the first chapter of Mark that he had decided to leave the town where he was so popular due to his many healings there.

Jesus told them, “Let us go to the nearby villages that I may preach there also. For this purpose have I come.”

May you listen to your inner voice so that you, too, may know the purpose for which you have come!

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Listen to the song of the day “Turn Off the Noise” on the Listen to Your Heart album by clicking HERE.

Purchase my albums/CDs and books by clicking HERE.

Stream and/or purchase my songs on Amazon Music by clicking HERE.

Remember: God loves you!