Purpose Study Bible 367: Childhood Clues
True to her vow, Hannah gave her young son to the Lord by taking him to live in the house of God where he served Eli. Then we read that God began to reveal the boy's purpose at a young age:
The boy Samuel ministered before the Lord under Eli. In those days the word of the Lord was rare; there were not many visions. One night Eli, whose eyes were becoming so weak that he could barely see, was lying down in his usual place. 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. Then the Lord called Samuel (1 Samuel 3:1–4).
Like Samuel, your childhood contained clues as to your creative purpose. You may not have heard a voice like Samuel did, but there was still evidence of God working in your life. Perhaps you loved (or dreaded) art or music classes. Maybe you were regularly chosen for leadership positions, excelled at sports or speaking, or enjoyed organizing, helping others, and solving problems. In a sense, God was speaking to you through your gifts, interests, and talents, even though you didn't recognize it at the time.
However, you needed to learn to make sense of those clues, just like Samuel needed to be educated and trained to respond to what he was hearing and seeing. Sometimes other people recognize our gifts and purpose before we do. Perhaps a parent, teacher, or friend saw something in you that you didn't see in yourself. And if you didn't understand those clues then, there's still time to do so today. Those abilities and interests deserve your attention, for they may be important evidence of what God created you to do.
What did you do as a child that could hold clues to your creative purpose today? What gave you joy then that could bring the same joy today? Did anyone recognize or encourage a particular gift or ability in you? Looking back, can you see patterns of God speaking to you like He did to Samuel?
The good news is there's still time to connect with those childhood messages. Don't be too quick to dismiss your childhood tendencies as passing interests, for they may have contained important indications of your true identity and purpose. God was speaking to you through what you enjoyed, what came naturally, and what others recognized in you, even if you didn't understand it at the time.
Now you have the chance to once again act, speak, draw, lead, organize, or play. Don't wait until you're absolutely certain where those activities will lead. As you reconnect with your childhood joy and take action, you may discover that God was revealing your purpose long before you knew what to call it.