Stephen G. Derges explores how we hear God

In 1 Samuel 3 we read of a life-defining incident for young Samuel. As he is drifting off to sleep Samuel hears an audible voice. Thinking Eli is calling to him, he runs to find out what he wants. Eli says that it was nothing to do with him and tells Samuel to go back to sleep. Any parent having been woken in the night can guess the tone of voice that Eli probably used!

This happens a second time - with the same result, except I'd speculate that the tone of Eli's voice was probably a little harsher - but when it happens on a third occasion Eli finally gets the message. "This is God wanting to speak to you," he tells Samuel, and then counsels, "Go and lie down, and if He calls you, say, 'Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.'"

Now I don't want to be disparaging but what is wrong with Eli?

"If he calls you?" he says.

God has just spoken on three occasions and here's the man of God, his earthly representative and mediator for the people, saying "If". Of course God is going to speak again! How many times does it take to get our attention?

Let's briefly review this:

• God continues to speak even if we don't hear the first time.

I don't believe God gives up on us; He'll keep calling even if our line is engaged or off the hook because He loves us so much.

• God sometimes uses imperfect situations to further His purposes.

Being surrounded by immorality, blackmail and robbery is not usually our idea of an excellent training establishment. But even in this environment God still wanted to impart His word.

• God doesn't worry too much about our age.

He gave Samuel, still a young boy, a very important and, in fact, devastating message to pass on to Eli who was not only his mentor and teacher but also someone far older and infinitely more senior in rank.

Have you heard from God for your life? It doesn't have to be an amazing middle of the night encounter like Samuel's, but God does want to speak to us. And He'll do it in a variety of ways - through the Bible, through life's daily experiences or through people - those you know and sometimes those you don't know.

Next time we'll have a look as some of the reception blockers that prevent us from clearly hearing what God has to say but in the meantime let me encourage you to begin to take some time to find out what God wants for your life.

This article has been taken from the short book, 'Hearing God' by Stephen G. Derges. "Hearing God" is one of a series of books - 'Bitesize Beliefs' - written by Stephen addressing the implications of living an authentic Christian life-style in a practical, 'how to' manner. 'Bitesize Beliefs' are designed to be short, introductory, easy-to-read books designed for the kind of short attention span, 'sound-bite' and 'instant makeover' world we live in.