"When he puts forth all his own, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice." John 10:4
It is doubtful that many of us grew up in a farm environment. It is even less likely that if you were raised on a farm that you had sheep. Nevertheless, domestic animals have a number of similarities to people. They depend upon someone for food, shelter and care. They know the difference between the suppliers of their needs and those who are not. Perhaps most interesting of all is that they respond to the voice of their provider and follow its direction.
These things can be seen among humans as well. From the moment of birth, we coo over our babies in an effort to express love and to build relationships. As they grow and become mobile, we teach them to respond to our voices and our direction by calling to them. We also teach them to recognize the difference between ourselves and strangers with specific instruction to not heed their voices.
Beloved do we know the voice of our Father? Do we recognize that He is the provider, protector, sustainer and enabler? More importantly, do we respond to His call when He beckons us away from what would harm us and toward that which will save us? If we do not know His voice, we must avail ourselves of it. It is all around us. We must get to know Him through His word and through prayer. The more we listen for it the more we will hear it. Once we are able to discern it, we must heed it. Let us not make the mistake of putting God on "mute" that we might listen to and heed other voices. It can be said of those who are truly His, "A stranger they simply will not follow, but will flee from him, because they do not know the voice of strangers,” John 10:5. Follow the voice you know.
Rejoicing in the Lord,
Lee
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