Hear and respond to God's voice

With the days getting warmer and daylight lingering, many of us are finding any and every reason to get outside being reminded that yes, even in April you can get a sunburn. Soon the swimming pools will be open with volleyball and Marco Polo.

This aquatic variation of hide and seek demands hearing. The one who is "it" must listen with the purpose of distinguishing the distance and location of those who are hiding. The key to this game is hearing the voice and following it.

Jesus stressed following him and listening to his voice. Rather than be the one hoping to find the others, he is the one calling the others to follow.

He says in John 10:27-28, "My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand."

Sheep follow their shepherd with complete trust. Sheep recognize by voice the one who feeds them, nourishes their wounds and seeks for them when they are separated and lost. The shepherd calls out to the sheep who, when they hear the voice, respond. Sheep know by the care that they receive that the shepherd can be trusted.

The amazing thing about these and other verses is not the compassion, intimacy, leadership and reward that Jesus speaks of.

Each of these are amazing upon their own. The most amazing thing that is so often overlooked is that Jesus is speaking. That he has a flock that he identifies as his own and he speaks to them with the expectation that they hear and respond. Membership of this exclusive flock is gained through faith, then life is gained through hearing.

Sheep, like us, have their own individual personalities. Some are demonstrative, others introverted. Some prefer to be around other sheep while others would rather stand behind.

"My sheep hear and respond because I know them," Jesus says. They recognize his voice. They are his sheep. He knows their intricacies, their personalities, their likes and dislikes. He compassionately leads them to what is best for them.

Hearing God's voice is not a matter of hoping not to get caught but rather wanting to be found.

The Lord calls, he can speak into the daily motion of our lives.

Will we listen?

Rob Hurtgen is a husband, father, minister and writer. Read more from him at www.robhurtgen.wordpress.com.