Verse:
“My sheep hear my voice. I know them, and they follow me.”
Thought:
Walking into an appliance store, I amazed at the development of electronic technology. The TV's,
the different radio applications, and stereos scream “look at me!” With Faith Hill offering the
sound and the new function of HD TV offering detail, we are drawn to the TV's. Then, with the
offering of satellite radio and the clarity and availability of the music practically anywhere,
attention is once again captured. Finally, we have the Bose systems, who's tiny speakers resonate
like a trains whistle. But something else grabs my attention. Daddy, Daddy, I'm tirstee.
Immediately, the sound, the voice I need to hear becomes audible. My little girl needs a drink.
I'll let Faith sing, Bose scream and Sirius bark.
Hear the Good News, in a world clambering with distraction, Christ calls out to us, "follow me."
This message we are given while present, seems more and more difficult to hear today. The
question we have to ask is why? What is our part in the problem and what part does the world
play? A friend of mine, in college had a bad habit. It wasn’t so much that he drove too fast, which he
did. It wasn’t that he didn’t like to stop and ask for directions when he was going to a new
place, or if he felt he was getting lost, or even that he did not keep a map in his car. It was
that he would have all of these elements present on a road trip. No directions, no patience, no
map, fast lost driving. Jesus said, "My sheep listen to my voice." There are all kinds of voices
these days clambering for your attention. "My sheep listen to my voice and they follow." At the
pace at which we live, it is easy for us to get shallow and confused. We are the only creatures
I know who run faster when they're lost. Even a dog has the sense to stop and get its bearings.
It seems, for our part, we have to do two things, listen and follow.
With the metaphor of the shepherd and the sheep, we are taken on a journey of care and dependency.
This metaphor, however, has an abrupt end that, fortunately, does not apply to us. Shepherds, you
see, take care of the sheep so they might fatten the sheep for slaughter or sell the wool or
pelts as a commodity. This is where the metaphor ends and the good news begins. We are gathered
and guarded not for the slaughter, and not to be eaten, but for love and redemption. That is where
we take leave of the metaphor and embrace reality. The reality is we are to listen for the still
small voice of God in the midst of clambering distractions in our life. When we hear the voice,
we are to listen and to follow, leaving behind the other voices and following The Shepherd who
leads us to love and redemption.
Today, instead of the radio, the stereo or TV, turn off all of our distractions and listen.
Listen for the voice of The Shepherd
Prayer:
Gracious God, in a world and time of so many distractions, You are still there. Thank You. My attention is drawn by the distractions of people, places and things. Life gets so busy I loose sight of You and can no longer hear Your voice. As I seek a quiet time, help me to hear You. I am Your sheep and You are the Good Shepherd. Thank You for all You have done and all You continue to do. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
Grace & Peace
David Banks
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