May 16, 2016

Listen For Jesus’ Voice

My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. -- John 10:27-28

Goosie was distraught. I heard her as soon as I opened the back door. Her friend, her buddy, her companion, was gone. Probably a coyote had struck during the night.

I began talking to her and she calmed down. She knows my voice. She knows that I feed her twice a day. She knows that she is safe with me.

That’s how it is with Jesus. As believers, we know His voice. He will calm us, His children, if we will let Him. We are safe with Him.

Have you ever been afraid? The other day our pastor asked for folks to tell what excites them and what frightens them. Some of the answers were what you would expect. Grandchildren and adventures were high on the excitement list. Flying and disappointing God or those we love topped the list of what frightens us.

Our pastor admitted that he’s afraid of being at his house alone. He and his wife have four children. There is always somebody around. And when there isn’t, well, that’s unsettling.

But for us there is somebody always around. His name is Jesus and He never, ever leaves us alone. When your mind won’t quiet itself in the night, He is there. When you’re driving a lonely stretch of road, He is there. When you’re afraid of people trying to hurt you, He is there. Always. He is there.

What are you afraid of? Losing someone suddenly. I’ve been there. So was Jesus. Losing your job? I’ve been there. So was Jesus. Getting sick? I’ve been there. So was Jesus.

There is no place we can go, nothing we can experience, where He won’t be by our side.

That includes the good stuff too. We sometimes forget about Jesus when things are going well, don’t we? We don’t notice His Presence. We don’t include Him in our celebration, our joy.

Why is that? Maybe because we don’t think we need Him. We do. I do. I need Jesus to be there celebrating with me, enjoying the sunset with me, laughing at the antics of the dogs or geese with me.

We got nine new geese to join Goosie on the pond. I don’t want her to be alone. I’ve already started talking to them. They are learning to listen for my voice. Just as I have learned to listen for Jesus’ voice. What about you? Jesus is calling you. Do you hear Him?