3 The boy Samuel ministered before the Lord under Eli. In those days the word of the Lord was rare; there were not many visions.
2 One night Eli, whose eyes were becoming so weak that he could barely see, was lying down in his usual place. 3 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. 4 Then the Lord called Samuel.
Samuel answered, “Here I am.” 5 And he ran to Eli and said, “Here I am; you called me.”
But Eli said, “I did not call; go back and lie down.” So he went and lay down.
6 Again the Lord called, “Samuel!” And Samuel got up and went to Eli and said, “Here I am; you called me.”
“My son,” Eli said, “I did not call; go back and lie down.”
7 Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord: The word of the Lord had not yet been revealed to him.
8 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. 9 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.
10 The Lord came and stood there, calling as at the other times, “Samuel! Samuel!”
Then Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant is listening.”
11 And the Lord said to Samuel: “See, I am about to do something in Israel that will make the ears of everyone who hears about it tingle. (1 Samuel 3: 1-11)
My first job out of school, way back when, was with a housing program young people, aged 16-24. These group of fierce young people all had an extensive history of trauma and abuse and had needed to leave their homes because of this. The stories of their lives were heart-breaking. It was even more heartbreaking that I was the same age as the older crew, and was launching my career, was looking at marriage and family and, just viewed my life with hope and a future.
It was a daunting job. Many of the clients I worked with had some outrageous behaviours. Substance abuse was rampant, as was self-injury and significant issues with rage and anger. The house I worked in was often volatile, and arguments would pop up and need diffusing quickly or things would erupt beyond control. I often felt as if I was over my head. Sure, I had learned all the tips and techniques for managing behaviour; I was a Behaviour Therapist, after-all, but this was so hard and required me to think so quickly on my feet.
I also was a pretty, well, strait-laced kind of person. Although I had my own history of trauma (as we all do), I didn’t show my trauma in this way. You remember in high school that there was always this group of kids; the ones in the “smoking area” behind the portable (wow, that dates me, doesn’t it!) that seemed kind of wilder, more volatile, and less likely to ever toe the line? Well, that was these kids. I was the kid up in the music room or the library sneaking in extra study time or maybe a game of euchre.
I constantly worried that I couldn’t develop a therapeutic relationship with these clients. They were so far from my reach and my relatability. Finally, it slowly dawned on me that all I could offer them was me. With my new learning and wisdom fresh out of school. With the abilities and understandings that I had. Just me. Band geek me, hanging with the kids in the smoking area.
Much to my surprise, that shift to a trusting myself and recognizing that I could offer my ability and skills did change the way I worked at this organization. Shifts went more smoothly. I enjoyed myself much more and wasn’t as daunted by the tasks ahead of me. And, much to my surprise, this group of young people began talking and relating to me in a natural and healthy way.
This week, Perth has been just reeling with the news that a young person murdered another young person on the streets. During the day. And it seems like right in front of our eyes. The Chat and Chew crew talked about how unsettling this was for all of us; and how it made is feel unsafe, worried and a little overwhelmed with the need of the young people in our community.
And I can tell you, unequivocally, that yes, many of our young people in this community are experiencing things that are really just awful. There IS a mental health crisis in our community, and the issues leak out in ways that we couldn’t ever imagine, in substance abuse, and in aggression and violence. Places of safety and sanctuary are being stretched beyond their limits and are unable to keep up with the pressure and the demand.
I realize that it feels like we have nothing to offer.
But we do. We have ourselves. We are God’s beautiful creation called into community with each other. We have decades of experience and wisdom; and a way of framing the world that calls people to realize the best of themselves. We are the Eli’s, guiding Samuel to hear the voice of God calling him to move into his own pure self. The phrase that always catches my eye in this passage from 1 Samuel 3 that I quoted at the start of the blog is “the lamp of God had not yet gone out”. That passage refers to a physical lamp that was lit every night in the temple signifying that God was present and people were welcome in worship. But its also a symbol, eh! A symbol that even though Eli was elderly; and visually impaired, and even though it was a time in history where “the word of the Lord was rare; there were not many visions” (lol sound familiar anyone?) that Eli was still there for Samuel. Still allowed himself to see his wisdom and knowledge and guide Samuel into the place where he could realize his Call.
(I know this is the second week in a row that I’ve used this passage from 1 Samuel 3. Its becoming a bit of a theme for me so I think you’re going to hear more of it!)
I know its hard. I know that it feels daunting to try and walk through this gulf that separates this generation. But we have what we need, right? We have ourselves as God’s beautiful creation. We have decades of wisdom and experience. And the Lamp of God has not yet gone out.
Let’s go, my whole team of Eli’s. Its our time to help the Samuels of this world hear God calling them. We’ve got this.
Blessings today. You are Loved. Its our turn to remind others that they are too.
~Rev. Lynne
My heart is so so sad for the victim, but also for the young person charged. At this age, nothing is straightforward. I feel such empathy to both families and those close to them. Things happen when young people are hurting (poverty, hunger, addiction, homelessness, identity etc.). What I can say, having gone through crisis with my own children, is to tell them to “never forget you aren’t alone and situations aren’t always as black and white as they seem. Someone loves you. Make the phone call before resorting to actions that will hurt you possibly forever.” Thank goodness my kids reached out before anything permanently bad happened. It gave everyone time to reflect and heal.