What do you like to do for fun? Maybe you enjoy a game of tag on the playground or hide-and-go-seek in your basement. Maybe you would rather play board games or color a picture, or play a game on an electronic device. Still others might enjoy peek-a-boo or “thumb-wars.” All children enjoy playing in some way, although the activities they choose may be different. Play is an important part of growing up, and we can learn many lessons through playing: lessons about winning and losing, treating others kindly, and serving the Lord with our whole heart.

I wonder what you would think about a boy who went right to work? Nothing is written about this boy playing or joining with his friends for fun and games. Instead, he worked for the Lord in the tabernacle. This boy’s name was Samuel, and we read about him in the Bible books that are named after him.

This doesn’t mean that Samuel never played the child­hood games that other kids did. But the Bible focuses on Samuel’s calling to serve the Lord from his youth. You can ask what this means for you. “How can I serve the Lord now? Am I too young?” “What do I have that God would use? There are older people who can do everything.” “Why do I have to serve the Lord now? Can’t I just have fun and serve Him later?” None of these or any other questions kept Samuel from serving the Lord, and they do not need to keep you from doing so either.

God calls us to not seek popularity or the most fun we can have, but to serve Him. The service of God was not “cool” or popular in the days of Eli, the high priest. His sons were ungodly, doing bad things right in front of the place of worship (1 Samuel 2:12, 22-25; 3:13-14). It was a spiritually dead time in Israel (the church of those days). Yet, suddenly, this young boy, Samuel, was called to serve God faithfully. This heart of service is evident in how he listened for Eli’s voice and answered it when he thought it came.

You have many opportunities to serve the Lord now. Just because these opportunities may be small, that doesn’t mean they are unimportant. How can you serve the Lord in what you desire? Often, children think they absolutely need certain electronics, games, clothes, or toys. It is easy to want things because our friends have them or want them. We want them, too! But do you desire what God wants you to have? How do we know what God wants us to have? Often it is what our wise parents know is good for us, which usually means not giving you everything you ask for. Instead of wishing we had more things, God would like us to focus more on how we can serve Him, like Samuel did.

You can serve the Lord by being careful in how you spend your time. It is easy to think about fun, to play computer games, to listen to music or watch sports or movies. These can be relaxing and fill our time when we are bored. But do they satisfy you? Were you made for these things? Instead, you can use your time by playing wholesomely with others. Or you could make a craft or card for someone who is suffering or lonely; you could bring it to them and talk with them. You could also read a good book that can teach you an important lesson and motivate you to serve the Lord. Think about someone from your class who is lonely or excluded. Can you think of ways to be a friend to them? Take the time to visit with someone who may look or talk differently than you, or has a wheelchair or walking device. How can you use your time to learn a useful skill with which you can serve others? Your relationships give you opportunities to serve. Do you ever ask your parents how you can help? Do you ever spend time with a younger brother or sister, even if your friends are asking you to come over to play? Are you willing to stop a conversation when it turns negative about someone? Do you stand up for someone who is different or bullied?

The most important thing here is not about Samuel, but about the Lord. Samuel could not deal with the sin of Israel or even the sin of his own heart. The Holy Spirit gave him a willing heart to listen to the Lord and to be eager to bring God’s message and do His work. We also need the Lord Jesus, who served God faithfully throughout His life and in His death. He has provided everything for us to truly serve God! This service begins in hearts when they are made new and alive by the Holy Spirit. It continues in the lives of children and adults when they seek forgiveness and follow in Christ’s way of service to God. Speak, Lord, thy young servants are listening (1 Samuel 3:10)!