"Listennnn": Sunday Recap

March 1 , 2026

Listennnnnn!

If there was ever a time to lean into who God created you to be, it’s now.

"For such a time as this" isn't a phrase frozen in biblical history; it is a current invitation for whenever God decides the world needs you as His response to the moment. 

To become that response, we must posture ourselves in His presence—learning to recognize the voice of the God who engineered us, who gave us our design.

In 1 Samuel, we see an illustration of the gap between having a God-given design and actually walking in it. It’s a familiar story with unexpected revelation: your design is activated once you master the posture of listening.

“The boy Samuel ministered before the Lord under Eli. In those days the word of the Lord was rare; there were not many visions.” 1 Samuel 3:1 (NIV)

The text specifies that at this time, Samuel is a boy not the "main character" prophet we know him to be later. Before his calling is even announced, we see his behavior: his posture and his submission. In this moment, it isn’t his "gift" that unlocks the door; it's his position.

God didn’t just start talking to you right now. But let's keep it 100: there are parts of your "younger self" you haven't reconciled with yet. That version of you, harboring an unreconciled past, is still whispering, talking you out of your creative purpose and influencing you to live in rebellion.

Some of us lack submission because we were left to discover who we are on our own. Others were simply mishandled by their "Eli." Submission has been so perverted and wrongly defined that it’s no wonder we fight it. We don't submit because we don't truly understand what it really means.

 “When you align yourself with God's idea of submission, you save yourself decades of pain.” —MGLewisJr

The text shows us the weight of Samuel’s submission: in those days, the word of the Lord was rare.

“You were not born in a quiet time by accident, you were born to be an interruption.” —MGLewisJr

Samuel was born to be an interruption. Before him, the word was rare because nobody was actually ministering to the Lord. There are too many people doing "ministry" but not ministering to God.

“The difference in the direction of your devotion is what makes God speak.” —MGLewisJr

When you minister to the Lord, you sound different. Samuel’s devotion was his distinction. When you’ve actually heard from Him, it hits different.

Samuel was found ministering. In this hour, you have to be careful what you’re found doing. If you’re busy with "other things," you’re just going to live in the results of those distractions.

Samuel did something different and got a different manifestation. Some of us are missing out on the move of God because we’re too scared to look different from the culture.

Some people aren’t less gifted; they’re just less devoted. It’s not a lack of love for God, it’s a fear of the unmistakable distinction that comes with following Him.

Submission is about staying connected to the person who can give language to your unique design.

“Deliverance is in your distinction. Distinction is only manifested at the rate of your devotion.” —MGLewisJr

 “One night Eli, whose eyes were becoming so weak that he could barely see, was lying down in his usual place.” 1 Samuel 3:2 (NIV)

Be careful how you treat people. God will develop a hearer under a seer. Eli’s eyes were going dim, but he could still hear. Samuel could’ve caught an attitude like, "What can this old man teach me?" But Samuel didn't need Eli’s sight; he needed Eli’s discernment to recognize God's voice.

Don't let pride block you from the mentors God placed in your life to coach your ears.

 “The lamp of God had not yet gone out, and Samuel was lying down in the house of the Lord, where the ark of God was.” 1 Samuel 3:3 (NIV)

Samuel wasn't just submitted in spirit; he was postured in person. He was "laying different." When you make God's presence your priority, you start to catch things that everyone else is missing.

“Stay close to His presence, because you’re about to hear what other people missed.” —MGLewisJr

 “Then the Lord called Samuel. Samuel answered, “Here I am. Then the Lord called Samuel. Samuel answered, “Here I am.”” 1 Samuel 3:4-5 (NIV)

“Sometimes when God calls you, you run to who grew you versus the one who called you.” —MGLewisJr

Nothing is wrong with going to your leaders, but remember: they are your guide, not your God.

What if God isn't looking to validate you right now? What if He’s trying to reveal Himself to you? We often chase people because we want recognition, we want to hear "well done," but obedience is what matters in development.

 “There are times in your development where affirmation and confirmation is rare and your obedience is the proof.” —MGLewisJr

Eli showed the wisdom of a true spiritual father. He acknowledged he wasn't in charge of the call and directed Samuel back to the source.

“Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord: The word of the Lord had not yet been revealed to him.” 1 Samuel 3:7 (NIV)

This is wild: Samuel didn't even know God yet, but he was already ministering. He had a posture of obedience before he even had a relationship.

Some of us have been saved for years--we know scripture, we know the songs, and yet our posture is still messy and our obedience is giving "it's complicated." Let Samuel's consistency check your spirit.

“A third time the Lord called, “Samuel!” And Samuel got up and went to Eli and said, “Here I am; you called me.” Then Eli realized that the Lord was calling the boy.” 1 Samuel 3:8 (NIV)

 “If God keeps calling you, that means He hasn’t replaced you.” —MGLewisJr

He’s still calling because there’s a level of Himself He wants to reveal to you.

“So Eli told Samuel, “Go and lie down, and if he calls you, say, ‘Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.’ ” So Samuel went and lay down in his place.” 1 Samuel 3:9 (NIV)

Notice that Eli didn't say "when" God calls, he said "if" because he knew he couldn't control how the God would speak. He coached Samuel on how to respond.

“God is raising up leaders and mentors that understand how to coach your response to what God is trying to reveal to you.” —MGLewisJr

“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)

Notice the shift: When Samuel got the right language, God didn't just send His voice—He showed up!

Maybe the reason you haven't seen a manifestation is that you haven't learned the language of response. God doesn't respond to your tears; He responds to your response.

“God is responding to responders.” —MGLewisJr

Samuel didn’t just say, “Lord, speak.” He said, “I’m listening.” We want the word without the wait. The trajectory of your life changes when your listening matches His speaking.

There’s too much traffic in our heads past trauma, insecurities, opinions blocking the frequency. It’s time to fine-tune the receiver.

Listening isn't just a spiritual "vibe"; it's your lifeline.

“My son, pay attention to what I say; turn your ear to my words. Do not let them out of your sight, keep them within your heart; for they are life to those who find them and health to one’s whole body.” Proverbs 4:20-22 (NIV)

“Give ear and come to me; listen, that you may live. I will make an everlasting covenant with you, my faithful love promised to David.” Isaiah 55:3 (NIV)

Covenant is made with the listener. Destiny is preserved in the listening.

“My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.” John 10:27 (NIV)

God knows you because you listen, not just because He made you.

Your distinction, the thing that sets you apart as a believer, is your ability to shut out the world and lock in on His voice.

This message isn't for the dignitary, the gifted, or the loud. This is for the listener.

Are you listening now?