Man of God

“And there came a man of God to Eli and said to him, ‘Thus the LORD has said,”… 1 Samuel 1:1-20

Who are you known as? What words do people associate you with? Businessman? Dad? Mom? Teacher? Friend? Or would people think of positive terms like nice, friendly, strong, servant, or encouraging? Hopefully, you are not associated with negative words like jerk, selfish idiot, gossiper, or that lady who has a severe anger problem that no one wants to talk to because she might go off on me and pull my hair out.

No matter what, when people think of you, a feeling or thought comes to mind, positive or negative. What do you want that to be?

In the verse listed above, a man comes to Eli, a priest, and shares a message from God for Eli and his family. What I wanted to dwell on for a moment is that the prophet who comes is simply called, “a man of God.” No name is given, just the “man of God.” How awesome would it to be known as “a man of God” or “a woman of God?” What would it be like to end your life and be known simply as “a man or woman of God?” What a testimony for your life if that was all that had to be said? “He was a man of God.” There can’t be too many higher compliments for a man or woman in this life. To simply be known as a person associated with the things of God and the things on God’s heart would be awesome.

It must be pointed out that this “man of God” is never heard from again throughout the rest of the Bible. He says what God wanted him to say and goes back to his own life. There are a lot of us who don’t and won’t have major roles in God’s plan. We won’t be a famous preacher, worship leader, or leader for the things of God. But we can be faithful men and women of God in the everyday things of life. We can be faithful friends, mothers, fathers, workers teachers, helpers, and servants in whatever circle we find ourselves. The man of God in the story was only in one chapter in the whole Bible, but he fulfilled the role God had for him and helped accomplish God’s purposes. So too can we serve God faithfully and play a vital part in his plan to glorify Himself and show Jesus to the world.

So what?
1. So who do you want to be and what are you doing to be that sort of person?
2. Your role, whatever it is in this phase of your life is significant. Don’t doubt that God can use you powerfully to accomplish great things, even if it doesn’t seem like it all the time.
3. Are you being faithful to serve the Lord wherever you are?

Father, I want to be known as a man/woman of God. I want to be known as a person who was about you and the things on your heart. Give me perspective to see that wherever I am is where you want me to be and that you can use me to accomplish something significant for you. Amen.