This week a
friend thanked me for giving him a perspective different from his own. His
situation involved an issue that could have been acted upon from a multitude of
perspectives. For one hour, we thought out loud about many of them. At the end
of the conversation we felt like we had looked at both common and uncommon
perspectives. My prayer is that God will speak plainly to him, providing a
divine perspective. The divine perspective often offers the most uncommon yet
most needed word.
Similar to the
situation faced by my friend, living in a family or community necessitates the
need for an uncommon word. We find ourselves being tempted to simply speak
about common ideas and popular perspectives. We want to speak what is easy and
non-confrontational. However, if we wait on the Lord He can give us an uncommon
word. As we continue with the series “My Situation”, may God shape your
situation with an uncommon word.
To elaborate on
this topic, we will first look at Samuel’s situation as he was called by God.
His situation was unexpected and would require him to be God’s spokesperson. The word
of the Lord was rare and there was no frequent vision (V.1). Samuel was young
and did not yet know the LORD nor His word (V.7). This was about to change
because God was on verge of publically punishing the house of Eli because Eli
had known of the sins of his sons and did nothing to restrain (V.11-14).
Into this situation Samuel was called to
speak a difficult and unpopular word. In Chapter 1 Samuel was dedicated to
serve the Lord. Now, in Chapter 2 God was calling on him to fulfill the reason
for his dedication (v. 3-10). Samuel was confused by the initial calling. The
only thing that would clear up the confusion would be to remain still and utter
the words, “speak, for your servant hears” (V. 10). When Samuel did this, God
gave him a difficult word to speak (11-15).
Samuel now found himself in the honorable
yet difficult position of speaking an uncommon word. His ability to understand
the word of God was new. He had to speak difficult words to an authority figure
who was being punished for sin. To fulfill this task, he was granted the
presence of God and powerful authority to speak effectively (V.19-20).
God did not stop
calling people to speak uncommon words when He called Samuel. He continued to
do so throughout history up to today with you. He has shaped you through
uncommon words and calls you to speak them to others. For you to fulfill your
calling into the lives around you, be a listening servant willing to speak an
uncommon word. If you are willing to listen pray the following, “Father, show
me the places in my life where Your word is rare and fill me with words to
speak.”.
Not only are
individuals to speak uncommon words, but collectively churches are to influence
their communities in the same way. In 1 Thessalonians 1:2-10, three important
issues are raised. The word must be accompanied by the power of the Holy Spirit
and full conviction. Secondly, the word may be received with much affliction
yet with the joy of the Holy Spirit. Finally, those who
receive the word become examples that need no words. May Yucaipa Valley Church
of the Nazarene be this type of church. Toward this end consider the words of
Ryan Shelton, “We
cry out for God to speak with authority and power in our worship meetings and
then we open up our Bibles to listen” (http://www.desiringgod.org/articles/only-our-god-speaks).
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