Lessons From God's MenSýnishorn

Samuel Responds to a Calling

For most men, life feels like a slow grind toward career goals, financial stability, respect, or a sense of control. We don’t usually expect God to interrupt that trajectory.

But He often does, and not with fanfare, but with a quiet call we’re tempted to ignore.

Take Samuel.

At the time God first spoke to him, he was just a boy serving in the temple, not a leader or warrior. He wasn’t chasing greatness. He was simply present and faithful in a role that probably felt small.

And yet, God bypassed Eli, the older priest, and spoke to the boy Samuel.

Why?

Because Samuel was available.

He answered, “Here I am,” even before he understood who was calling.

His response became a critical turning point in Israel’s history. Samuel would grow into a godly man who advised kings, called out corruption, and stood as God’s voice in a fractured nation.

But none of that would have happened if he hadn't made himself interruptible—if he’d been too distracted, too passive, or too sure of his own plans.

There’s a challenge here for men:

Are we so busy building our own kingdoms that we miss the call of the King?

God’s pattern in Scripture is consistent.

He doesn’t wait for men to feel “ready.” He calls them while they’re in the trenches, working the night shift, grinding through fatherhood, starting over after failure.

Moses was hiding. Gideon was in survival mode. Peter was covered in fish guts.

None were positioned for greatness, but all were available.

Too often, we think God uses only the bold or the brilliant. But in reality, He uses the man who picks up when He calls, the man who says, “Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening” (1 Samuel 3:10 NIV).

You don’t need to have it all figured out. You just need to be a man ready to drop your plan and respond when His voice cuts through the noise.

This week, we will take each day to explore a different man from scripture, what God did with him, and what it means for us as men today.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, help me to be like Samuel, ready to answer when You call, even if I don’t yet understand the whole picture. Make me sensitive to Your voice, and give me the courage to respond, “Here I am.” Amen.

Reflection: Today, commit to listening for God’s voice. Create a moment of silence, away from distractions, to ask, “Lord, do You have anything to say to me today?” Then, be available, open, and ready to respond.