John 10:4-5 ESV
[4] When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. [5] A stranger they will not follow, but they will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.”
I always knew this verse, but never really understood how it was possible. Jesus tells us that His sheep know His voice and will not follow a stranger but will flee from a stranger. I never really understood until the other day, and then it clicked in my head. My mom was upstairs calling my dog, who was downstairs. She called and called and called, but my dog refused to come, so I got up, walked to where my mom was and called my dog. I immediately heard footsteps and saw her fluffy tail bouncing up the stairs.
A little while later my dad and I were talking about the situation, and he told me that when she heard her name called she would stop listen then keep walking. She did that until she heard my voice. Then she stopped immediately, turned around, and ran up the stairs.
See, even though my dog knows my mom’s voice, because she isn’t her leader (if you will) she refused to listen. She just kept going. Now, when she’s in the mood to listen (she’s a husky… need I say more…) she’ll listen to my mom, but when she’s not in the mood to listen or she doesn’t feel like obeying she’ll ignore anyone who isn’t me. Why? Because I’m her leader.
When we half-heartedly follow Jesus, when He calls to us our flesh will take over and we’ll keep doing whatever it is we want. Our spiritman that keeps us in check will be overpowered by the flesh and we won’t follow His instruction. But when we wholeheartedly follow Christ, we feel every tug, hear every whisper, and see every sign. We follow the path set before us.
Our relationship with God is determined by how much time we spend with Him. Do you spend time in prayer? Fasting? Worship? Reading and studying your Bible? Do you spend time with the LORD? The first thing my dog hears in the morning is my voice. The last thing she hears at night is my voice. Can you say the same about God? Do you make sure He’s the first and last of your day?
Peace. Love. Go Forth and Follow His Voice.