Whose Voice Are You Following?
Scripture Reading — John 10:1-6
“His sheep follow him because they know his voice.”
—John 10:4
Internet, iPad, iPod—the “I”s certainly have it today! At the beach, in the department store, on the college campus, everywhere people have listening devices in their ears. While both technology and music are gifts of God, I hope we also take time to listen to the springtime chatter of robins or the shrill cry of a red-tailed hawk.
What we listen to makes a difference in our lives. Jesus is the good shepherd. He laid down his life for us on the Good Friday cross. If we are to follow Jesus and avoid imposters, we must recognize his voice clearly and quickly in every situation we encounter. To do that, we must spend time listening to his Word in the Bible.
One day I was walking along a road in Uganda when a car pulled over behind me. A man called out, “Do you want a ride?” I thought it might be a taxi, so I kept walking without looking back. Then a horn beeped and a voice called out, “It’s Tuki. Don’t you recognize my voice?” Since I had only recently become acquainted with Tuki, I did not quickly recognize his voice. But when I saw who it was, I gratefully accepted the ride he offered.
Jesus, the good shepherd, says, “Listen, listen to me … that you may live” (Isaiah 55:2-3).
He invites you to “ride” with him.
Are you listening to his voice?
Dear Lord, help me to listen closely to your voice as I read your Word so that the pathway I follow is yours and yours alone. In your name, Amen.
About the author — John Van Schepen
Dr. John Van Schepen is a retired pastor who served churches in Washington, Wisconsin, Indiana, Oregon and California. He and his wife, Willie, have been blessed with five children and several grandchildren.
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