Devotional: The Voice Of God Develops Us

Do you have a burning desire to grow in God and His call? If you want to hear the call of God, you have to commit to the call of God. However, the defining posture of our hearts and our culture is infinite browsing for (   fill in the blank   ). It is non-committal by nature and always looking for the next best thing. But only the call of God is eternal, meaningful, and fruitful. When we create the time and the place to hear from God, the voice of God develops our nearness to Him. Our nearness to God then develops the usefulness of our call. As we, like Samuel, hear God’s voice and grow in our calling, God will continue to appear to us as we speak for Him in the midst of our world’s darkness, suffering, controversy and strife (1 Samuel 3:19-21).

Questions For Meditation

1. God’s voice was rare in Samuel’s day. But God broke the silence by calling his person, Samuel. Have you heard and received the distinct call of God on your life? Describe it.
2. The defining characteristic of our generation is infinite browsing. Despite receiving the call of God, have you ever found yourself in a never-ending search? What were you browsing for? Is God and His voice in your search history?
3. If you want to answer the call of God, you have to commit to the call of God. How does infinite browsing for (fill in the blank) distract you from committing to the call of God? How can you fully recommit to the call of God?
4. The voice of God develops us. How does infinite browsing for (fill in the blank) hinder your growth, development and maturity as a priest? What, specifically, is God wanting to develop and grow in regards to your unique call?
5. The voice of God develops His nearness. What is the first step in bringing God’s nearness? What is it about worship that draws God near to us? What is the result of God’s nearness inwardly? Outwardly?
6. The voice of God develops our usefulness. How do we invite God to make us useful? How does God’s nearness make us useful? What do we become useful for? What, specifically, does your call make you useful for in your family, workplace, community, city, nation?
7. Developing God’s nearness and our usefulness requires a time and a place. What, specifically, will you do to invite God’s nearness to develop your usefulness? When? How often? For how long? How long will you commit to maintain this rhythm of God’s nearness?