Jesus said: "My sheep hear my voice; I know them, and they follow me." John 10:27
Some of Christianity's great artwork depicts Jesus as a shepherd with sheep. The inspiration comes from the Gospel of St. John in his account of Jesus as the good shepherd. In fact, Jesus has been connected with sheep and shepherds since his birth. It was God who sent the angel to tell the shepherds of the Messiah's birth, and it's Jesus himself who compares himself to a shepherd…A good shepherd. Many of the sheep in the herd have known their shepherd's voice since birth. It's all they know and the sheep trust that their master will protect them from the dangers of the wilderness.
You and I are like sheep. We follow the voices that we trust. Unfortunately, there are wolves in sheep's clothing and we sometimes become deceived by the trappings of the world. It's when we realize our folly that we run back to the Good Shepherd, that being Jesus. However, there are many people in this world that do not know Jesus. They don't know his voice. They don't have a relationship with him. You cannot have a trusting relationship with anyone if you don't really know them. We have to have a personal encounter with him, just like we do with each other in our relationships. Take some time to courageously step out of your comfort zone and sit quietly and just listen. Ask God to speak to you. You might not hear anything the first few times. But if you do this regularly, I would bet that you'll hear and feel his presence. Take time to encounter the Good Shepherd today.
Question for Reflection
Would I know the voice of Jesus if he spoke to me?
Holy Spirit, Guide me to understand your voice versus that of the world.
