Smart Sheep
“When he has brought out all his own, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice. They will not follow a stranger, but they will run from him because they do not know the voice of strangers.” (John 10:4-5)
There has been several times in recent months that I have mistaken my oldest son’s voice for my husband’s. Both are familiar, and it is not hard to confuse one for the other. The same thing has happened with my two sons, confusing one voice for the other. And some people have said my daughter and I sound alike.
When a voice is familiar it is easy to trust it, taking what the voice says at face value, and saying things to a voice that is known and trusted. But an unfamiliar or strange voice, or a voice one does not expect to hear sends up warnings and alarms. One thinks, “Beware”, “Caution”, “Proceed carefully”, “Danger, danger.” One of the times we are most aware of this is when we answer the phone and see on caller ID that the phone number is unfamiliar. We do answer, but wait for the person to identify themselves and state their purpose.
What then when God calls us? Would you recognize God’s voice? Would it be familiar to you? These verse from John sort of take it for granted that the sheep recognize his voice; smart sheep.
May you recognize the voice of God, and may you follow the Divine trusting and finding that trust fulfilled. Selah!
