“Leadership is influence.” John C. Maxwell

We gathered and prayed at the Fairview flagpole this morning. In preparing for our time, I reviewed the story of the biblical character Samuel. One verse stood out and seemed to sum up his life, 1 Samuel 3:9b “Speak, Lord for your servant is listening.” Samuel was a leader of leaders—a chief advisor to the kings and military captains of Israel; a judge and prophet of the people. When he spoke, everyone listened. As a prophet of God, Samuel anointed kings; as the interpreter of the divine Word, he counseled and challenged kings. He served as a judge in Israel prior to Saul’s monarchy.

While Samuel was young, he lived in the Temple. One night God called Samuel’s name, but he thought it was Eli. After this happened several times, Eli realized the truth and told Samuel to go back to bed and if he heard the voice again to respond by saying . . . “Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening!” 1 Samuel 3:9b God did call and Samuel listened. This began a relationship with God that went on throughout Samuel’s life. His commitment and devotion to God is illustrated in 1 Samuel 3:19 where it says, “The Lord was with Samuel as he grew up, and he let none of His [God’s] words fall to the ground.”

Have you ever wondered what gave Samuel such credibility? When he spoke, people listened. John Maxwell in his book “The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership,” describes this kind of persuasion as “The Law of E.F. Hutton.” Do you remember E. F. Hutton? E.F. Hutton found a brokerage firm in 1904. It became one of the most respected financial firms in the United States and for several decades was the second largest brokerage firm in the United States. The firm was best known for its commercials in the ‘70s and ‘80s based on the phrase, "When E. F. Hutton talks, people listen" (which usually involved a young professional remarking at a dinner party that his broker was E.F. Hutton, which caused the moderately loud party to stop all conversation to listen to him). Samuel had the kind of leadership that made heads turn, that drew people to listen. I believe the reason he had so much influence was that he looked to God for direction. Near the end of his life Samuel as an old man addressed Israel saying, “I have been your leader from my youth until this day. Here I stand.” The people agreed that Samuel had led them with integrity and honor all his years. It all started for Samuel when he made a connection with God at an early age.

It is tough being a Christian student today. Students are faced with so many choices and they are not always sure which direction to take. Following God in a world that misunderstands Christianity and tolerates its principles less and less all the time is difficult. What if, like Samuel our students made a connection with God, and never let any of God’s words “fall to the ground?” How do you think their lives would be different? How do you think the lives of those around them would be different? The nation of Israel was influenced by the life of Samuel and his choice to listen and follow God. Our time this morning at the flagpole was a great time for each of us to connect with God and with other believers. May we by our example inspire students to say what Samuel did so long ago…”Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.”

Thanks for reading.