Let's Play Follow the Leader

Devotionals Let’s All Play Follow The Leader 5/25/2024 - by: Patti MacLennan - Starting With Scripture Share Patti MacLennan is a member of the Pilgrim Church of Duxbury UCC and is currently a Member In Discernment in the Southern New England Conference. Scripture: 1 Samuel 3:1-10 (NIV) 10 The Lord came and stood there, calling as at the other times, “Samuel! Samuel!” Then Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant is listening.” Reflection: Let’s All Play Follow The Leader How many of you remember the game Follow The Leader? One person gets to be at the front of the line and that person is the BOSS. The big cheese. The one in total control of the game. I have to confess, it has always been one of my favorite games ever. I have always been “that kid.” You know her. The one who just loves to be in charge. The “Lucy Van Pelt” of the Peanuts gang. The Take-Charge-Kid! With that personality trait however there comes responsibility. As a child, young adult, educator, mother, and now a member called to ministry, people look to me for guidance. People look to me for answers. People come to me because they assume I know what I’m doing. So…here’s the confession…I don’t! Not always. Yes, I do in many situations but not all of them. And honestly, being the leader has its challenges. Why am I in this situation? Partly because I am who I am. My personality is my personality. (I am an Aquarian!) But also I listened to a call. A call that came to me in the night. A call that led me to follow. A call that was similar to that of Samuel. Samuel was the son of aged parents Hannah and Eli. Both parents were physically and emotionally drained from raising a child. (I’m sure some of you can relate.) Samuel was being trained to minister even as a boy. In bed one night Samuel heard a voice calling. He assumed it was Eli his father. He ran to Eli and said, “Here I am; you called me.” Eli, tired and worn, rolled over and told Samuel that he did not call him and summoned him back to bed. Samuel did as he was told. In verse 6 the Lord calls out again…, “Samuel!” Samuel got up and went to Eli and said, “Here I am; you called me.” Dad now I’m sure got irritated. “No. I didn’t. Go back and lie down.” Samuel was an obedient lad and again did as his father told him. At this point he had no idea that it was God speaking and calling to him. But Samuel absolutely DID hear God “calling in the night.” I find myself often thinking of the disciples. They were regular ordinary people like you and like me. They were all going about their daily business when they were personally invited by Jesus to follow Him. They dropped everything and decided to follow the One who asked them. They knew this man was the true leader. There are many people who have written about God personally calling them. I have met and talked to people who have heard God speak to them. And I have been blessed with hearing God whisper to me personally. God DID call me in the night! If you take time to listen…really listen…you too may hear God calling in the night. And from there all you need to do my friends, is follow the leader! AMEN! PRAYER Dearest Lord, Let my ears be fully open to hear your voice when you call me in the night. And make my heart be open to allow me to follow you, the leader of all leaders. Amen. New Prayer Requests: We ask churches and church leaders to join us in the following prayers either by sharing them during worship, printing them in bulletins, or sharing them in some other way. To make a prayer request, please contact Marlene Gasdia-Cochrane at cochranem@sneucc.org. Prayers of Intercession: For the people of Ukraine and the Middle East whose lives continue to be shattered by war, as well as the many landscapes that are currently embroiled in conflicts . For those grieving or suffering due to the ~6,600 gun violence deaths that happened in the US since the start of the year. For the youth and young adults struggling with mental health issues. Prayers of Joy and Thanksgiving: For those who offer a place where one can find hope. For those who hear and answer the call to follow the Leader. For the ability to pray together. (You are invited to participate in Pause for Prayer, Wednesdays @ 12:30, Live on Facebook. Add your prayers through the chat feature, and recordings can be found on the SNEUCC Facebook page or our webpage.) This Week in History: May 29, 1942 (82 years ago): On the advice of Nazi propaganda minister Joseph Goebbels, Adolf Hitler orders all Jews in occupied Paris to wear an identifying yellow star on the left side of their coats. [History] “Study the past if you would define the future.” — Confucius Patti MacLennan Patti MacLennan is a member of the Pilgrim Church of Duxbury UCC and is currently a Member In Discernment in the Southern New England Conference.