John 10: Hearing Voices

. . .the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. (John 10:4b)

Do you know his voice? The saint is called to live in such intimate communion with Christ, that they know his gentle promptings and the exact pitch of his call. Simply coming to church on Sunday will not do this. This must be the deep pursuit of one’s heart – the engine that drives them daily. In this we will, not simply recognize his voice, but wait expectantly and excitingly for it. Many days we follow voices of those around us. Friends, family, media, and chaos scream out to us with varying degrees of conversation. But in the end, his voice must have final say.

We distinguish the shepherd’s voice by the results of his call:

9I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. 10The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. (John 10:9-10)

Following the voice of our Lord results in both pasture and abundance. In pasture we find a holy peace, and in abundance we find a thriving and passionate life. May the results of our life and faith be so.

Christ did not die so you could simply survive

Christ did not die so you could try your best not to sin

Christ died so that the small span of time you spend residing on earth would be redeemed for his passion and your ultimate pleasure.

You are not saved from life but to life

There is a richness in following his voice – a contentment that transcends circumstance. Put yourself in a spot where you hear his voice the loudest. The God of the universe is calling out.

Pray: We crave your voice. We long to hear from you as our creator and sustainer. Jesus, shepherd us so that we might find the abundant life which only you can provide. Redeem our days, whether by pasture or by passion. We no longer wish to survive because we recognize that a life chasing after you is so much more. Break us of the counterfeit voices in our lives. Give us the courage to hear and act. We love you, thank you for loving us. Amen