(This picture was taken in Union Bay, Michigan, a little over two weeks ago)

Before I left for school this morning, I had a great run and an even better time in the Word. I’m currently studying 1 Samuel, and I love it! Today, in chapter 3, one three-word phrase jumped out at me: “Here I am.” Whenever Eli called to Samuel, Samuel would say, “Here I am.” That’s such an interesting sentence. Why? Because it’s always true. If I say “Here I am” while I’m in Moscow, it’s true. If someone in the States says, “Here I am” that’s also true. If someone in Antarctica or the Arctic or underwater or in space says, “Here I am,” it’s true. It’s always true because physically we are always where we are. It’s physically impossible to be anywhere else but “here”. However, it is completely possible to be somewhere else in spirit. It is the presence of body and spirit that Samuel must be saying repeatedly. He’s saying that his will is available and submissive to the will of God. Samuel’s saying that when Eli speaks, he’s listening with his heart; he’s not distracted. Perhaps he unconsciously understood at such a young age that there is an even deeper meaning to his words. If we see the words “I am” as God’s name as spoken in Exodus (3:14), and not so much as referring to Samuel’s existence at the current moment, then we can read it as “Here…God.” Samuel, who “grew up in the presence of the Lord” (2:21), was consciously referring to his presence with Eli in both body and spirit. But in speaking these profound words, he also unconsciously acknowledged the presence of God Almighty in that place. How beautiful!!! Whenever we are here, God is too! He is always here because He always is! Is it any wonder that the God who speaks life into existence and whose breath sustains us also gives our words tremendous power? When we align our mouths and hearts with his purposes (Psalm 19:14), we are responding to His holy calling. He speaks, acknowledging His presence, and then we speak, acknowledging our presence and His. What a gift we can give God and people when we simply say, “Here I am.” The God whose words are the source of life also yearns to speak His presence through us to people. Let’s let Him speak. Here I am, Lord. Here…God.