Eli's Response

Servant-hood. What a strange concept we Christians have in servant-hood.  Priests are servants. They were to help people find forgiveness for their sins. To do that, they had to slaughter animals and get dirty with the blood.  I imagine how excited the priests would have to be right before it was their turn to work in the temple.  Just like a new police officer, thinking that the world would be changed because they are in the position. Time erodes that thinking.  Day after day of dealing with the evil of the world wears away at the heart.  The priests and the cops both work with the sad, the hurt, the dying, and the sick. 
  They are servants but at one time they thought they had power. Power is a beautiful thing. It shines and glimmers.  Power is also an empty thing. Once you look past all the bling, you can see the emptiness. 
Today's morning reading was a random pick since we were off on the bike.  I opened up to Samuel and read about how God called Samuel. Then I read Eli's response.  Eli was the priest who was taking care of Samuel. He was old and fat.  He knew his sons had done terrible things and he knew that at some point, God would destroy them.  So, Eli tells Samuel to tell him everything the Lord said. Samuel does. He tells Eli that the destruction was at hand.  I can see Eli clearly now. Old, fat, tired. His eyes heavy with the years. Heavy with the disappointments of life.  His beloved sons had betrayed him. They were supposed to be so much better. This child in front of him has actually heard God's voice and there was no redemption for Eli.
He hears this. Then he shrugs. "He is God. Let Him do as He thinks is best."
From all the power of the priest to the emptiness of a shrug.