My dears
How’s our hearing been recently? Is it an area we need to work on? Consider today’s Holy Nougat
““My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I am the good shepherd; I know my own sheep, and they know me”. John 10:27, 14 NLT
Isn’t it ironic that the Good Shepherd secures the sheep’s obedience on the basis of relationship!
Often I read ‘my sheep KNOW my voice’, but the actual recognition comes with KNOWING the Good Shepherd. No, I am not splitting hairs (in entirety), rather I wish to invite us to think more critically and intentionally about How and What we ‘know’ about the Good Shepherd. For knowledge (and trust) influences how we hear.
In the literal sense, there has been documentary coverage on eared seals (I watched it years ago) which indicates that no matter hows many hundreds of seal mamas are on the island; baby seal answers only ONE mama! A combination of scientific factors of voice makes the distinction. Ultimately, it is the SMELL which provides the final confirmation. Not the voice.
This leads to the literal-figurative ‘voice recognition’ used by us humans in non direct conversations. When we receive notes from anyone, we ‘hear’ the message in our mind (heart). At least I do. And, if we have heard the person’s voice before, we may even hear the voice. Interestingly, when we read something that doesn’t resonate with the person we know, one response is to say, ‘it doesn’t SOUND like the person.’
In like manner, we might not literally KNOW the sound of God’s voice; (our Good Shepherd). Our hearing and auto-recognition lies in the intimacy of our relationship; especially amid the cacophony of other sounds which seek to (and sometimes successfully) distract us. The intimacy comes with reading and studying God’s Word, from interacting with others who believe and also from basking and being still with God. And the increased frequency and intensity of these affects our ability to hear AND recognize our Good Shepherd. And that in turn, impacts our recognition of God’s call on our lives.
So, when we find ourselves yearning for a spiritual gift; we might find ourselves operating in a manner that says; ‘yes, this is it’. Assuming that we take the time to process, we may be inclined to pray AND listen for an answer in our heart. Knowing our Good Shepherd leads us in hearing the truth.
And, when we are in that quandary, with no way out; one cry to our Shepherd sends the cavalry; even if the response seems delayed. And it is in those moments after the cry that knowing the Shepherd affords us confidence to hear, discern the Right Voice, and follow.
Dear Jesus
Help us remain attuned to You so we hear You clearly and obey. Remind us that faith grows through hearing and hearing through intimacy with Your Word and, by virtue thereof, You. Draw us closer so we recognize You above and amidst the distractions.
In Your mercy, Lord hear our prayer
In Christ’s love and grace . . .
