Daily Power #105

“My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.” (John 10:27 NLT)

Whose voice do you love to hear when you answer the phone? Your spouse? Your kids? A best friend you’ve had since school days? We all have caller ID these days and can usually know before we answer who’s on the other end of the call. But I can remember that back before cell phones (yes, there were these ancient telephonic devices called “rotary phones”—you can google it), I wouldn’t know who was going to be on the phone when I answered it. It could be a telemarketer, or it could be my sister Lisa, or it could be Amy.

Obviously, I would recognize my sister’s voice or Amy’s, and they could tell it was me from my deep, he-man voice growling back, “Hello?” Sometimes it’s not so easy, though, even with caller ID. If there’s a lot of ambient noise, like in a busy restaurant or at a big event, it can be hard to tell who you’re talking to.

I worry that sometimes people today have so much background noise in their lives that they don’t recognize God’s voice when they hear it. With all the sound bites, songs, rants and raves, comments, and commentaries, it can be tough to find a few minutes to sit quietly with God. But becoming comfortable with stillness is essential if we’re to recognize his gentle whisper.

Try to reduce the unnecessary noise around you today and listen for your Shepherd’s voice.

Power Lift

Help me, God, as I become more intimate with you in prayer, to be someone who recognizes your voice. I want you to know me, and I want to follow you.