John 10:3-5
Hannah is at that age where she has figured out how to try and sneak around 'ol dad. She knows the things she is supposed to do and not supposed to do. We have certain rules and, of course, she doesn't always like them all. She's old enough to try sneakiness, but not quite old enough to be very good at it.
One of those things we're dealing with right now has to do with the phone. I think it's partly due to the fact that she's a girl, and also due to the fact that she's been learning her numbers this year in preschool. She really likes dialing people's numbers. Most of the time, we'll give her the numbers to dial. Sometimes, however, we'll catch her off somewhere just dialing numbers on her own. I'll find out this week (when I get the bill) how many foriegn countries she has contacted.
Anyway, she knows my voice. I called home from OKC last night; as soon as she heard my voice, she said, "Daddyyyyyy!" She doesn't recognize anyone else's voice quite yet. When the phone rings and she runs and beats us to it and answers it, this is the conversation we hear: "Hi. (Silence.) Who is this?"
When she is sneaking around, doing something she knows she shouldn't (like calling China), I'll peek in her room and say, quite abruptly, "Hannah!" She nearly jumps out of her skin. Even though it's hilarious, I have to keep a stern look on my face because she's disobeying. She jumps, drops the phone, and tries to act like she's doing something else--with me watching! She's so confused though, she finally just sits down on her hands to pretend that she wasn't up to anything. It's amusing.
Our passage this morning says alot of great things. It's loaded with great theology; I would contend even controversial theology. But we're not going to look at that. There's a very pragmatic topic that pricks my heart this morning: knowing Jesus' voice.
The sheep follow Jesus because they know his voice. They know his voice because he has already spoken to them, having called them out to salvation. Now they continue to follow him because they know his voice.
How do you know Jesus' voice? If you are a Christian--a Christ-follower--you know it from salvation's call. So, if you continue to follow him, how do you know Jesus' voice?
When you are deciding on job offers, how do you know Jesus' voice as he leads you? When you are in the middle of a chemotherapy treatment, how do you know Jesus' voice as he leads you? When you are arguing with your spouse, how do you know Jesus' voice as he leads you?
I really don't think there is a magic formula to discerning the voice of God. I think the key is listening for the voice of God. Really. You must attune your ears (your heart) to the Lord if you are to hear him. You must wade through the waters of self and sin in order to attune your ears (your heart) to his voice. You cannot both listen for him and follow the voice of another at the same time. When you clear out the muck and mire, place your focus on him, listen for his voice...that's when the Holy Spirit fills your heart with his Word and with his Wisdom.
I challenge you today to follow the voice of our Savior. He is our shepherd, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice.
