TODAY’S DEVOTIONAL PASSAGE

DEVOTIONAL

by Sandra Chua

When I am concentrating on my work on the computer, immersed in watching a television show or doing some mechanical household chores, my mind is not so attentive to my surroundings, especially to people who are talking to me. My daughters would jokingly call my whole name to get my attention. They describe that state as being “spacey”. I would tell them to make sure that I respond with a nod or look into their eyes when they talk to make sure that what they say goes into my head. They need to confirm if I was really there with them or not.

Jacob, now advanced in years, is moving to Egypt with all that he has. He had just learned that Joseph was alive, and he was filled with renewed life. When he reached  Beersheba, he offered sacrifices to God. There, God appeared to him in visions in the night. When God called Jacob, he answered, “Here I am”. God reiterated His promises and once again assured Jacob of His presence.

Jacob’s answer, “Here I am,” stood out for me in today’s reading. When someone’s calling our name out loud, we usually answer the same way. It’s a way of telling the person who is calling that we are present physically or at least within hearing distance. It is also a signal that the person has your attention. In Jacob’s case, it means that he was listening. 

With the advancement of technology, sadly, our attention spans have shortened, and it is so easy to get distracted. For me, it has made listening and concentration difficult. I can be there one minute and then lost in the next minute. May the Lord help us to be able to answer like Jacob, “Here I am,” and truly be there.

REFLECTION

When we read our Bibles, listen to the daily devotionals, or attend Sunday worship, can we, like Jacob, say, “Here I am”? Does God have our attention, or are we just physically there, but our minds are somewhere else? What can we do to be truly there to listen?

PRAYER