Day 1. Speak, Father, for I Am Listening The Lord came and stood there, calling as at the other times, "Samuel! Samuel!" Then Samuel said, "Speak, for your servant is listening." --1 Samuel 3: 10 NIV So you have had a hard day. Perhaps you have been working late in the office, trying to meet a deadline. You have been working long days for the past few weeks, and you now feel completely drained. A sense of relief comes upon you as you shut down the computer for the evening. After all, it's late and you just want to get home, unwind, and go to bed. Once home, you are glad to find that the kids are already in bed.

You go for a soak in the bath whilst listening to your favourite music. The moment is peaceful. You wish it could last forever. Later, you head for your bed, looking forwards to restful sleep. Not too long into your sleep, you are wakened by what sounds like someone calling your name. You look over to your partner and see that he or she is sound asleep. So you pop in to see your kids, but they are sound asleep too. Who might be calling you? Still feeling sleepy, you head back to bed.

But not too long afterwards, that same voice calls out your name. This time, you sit up and ponder who might be calling you. You check with the kids and your partner; they are far from being awake. The third time you hear the voice, you somehow get a sense that it isn't those around you who are calling. It is God calling you from within. Recognising this, you remember the story of young Samuel and how God called him in a similar fashion. And so you start to listen to His voice. Sometimes, God calls us in this manner because He wants to talk to us.

For many of us, our days are so crowded with life's distractions that we are hindered from staying in tune with the Father as we make our way through the day. As a consequence, we don't hear His still, quiet voice. I had an encounter similar to Samuel's. I was wakened in the quiet of the night. Father wanted to speak, but I had been too busy with life and all its challenges. Yet, it was during that encounter in the early hours when He reassured me of His ever-abiding presence through the storms I was facing. That night, He showed me how my challenges were going to enable me to touch other people's lives. This devotional you are now reading is an example of how I've gone on to touch the lives of others.

As a result of this Samuel-like moment, I began to actively listen for God's voice - not just at night, but throughout the day, as well. Perhaps God has been trying to get your attention in one way or another. Maybe you have heard Him calling you in the still of the night or even during your busy day. If that is the case, then I encourage you to pause and listen for what He has to say. Better still, actively carve time out of your busy day to listen to Him. You may find that He has the answer to the challenge - or the opportunity - you are facing. He is very much interested in you. Allow God room in your life.

Don't resist Him. From my experience, I know that He does have ways to get your attention. If you feel He has been trying to reach you, then please do give Him your ear. And if you have turned a deaf ear, tell Him you are sorry. Let your prayer today be, "Speak, Father, for I am listening." Prayer Dear God, teach me how to pause and listen to You, even in my crowded day or sleep-filled night. Help me stay tuned in all day and all night for the rest of my days. Help me recognise Your voice and receive what You have to say.

Amen.