Friendship With Jesusનમૂનો

Jesus is Speaking to Me

John 10:1-6 is one of the clearest pictures of the best possible life: friendship with your Creator. Jesus uses the example of a sheepfold — a place where multiple shepherds would shelter their sheep at night.

When you read John 10:1-6, pay attention to the progression of the story.

• His sheep hear his voice (verse 3).
• He calls his sheep by name (verse 3).
• He leads them out of the safety of the fold into the place of provision (verse 4).
• He goes ahead of them (verse 4).
• The sheep follow him because they know his voice (verse 4).
• They won’t follow a stranger because they don’t know his voice (v. 5).

This is how it applies to us. As his sheep, we hear his voice. Unlike Jesus’ first followers, we cannot see him, but we can hear his voice. He calls us by name. As the shepherd, he leads us out of the fold into a new adventure every day. He goes before us. We are never alone. We follow him … because we know his voice. This suggests Jesus is always speaking. We don’t follow strangers because we know all other voices lead to distraction, if not destruction.

The greatest pursuit of the human heart is to walk with the one who created us. In Jesus, the infinite God became finite. As we see in the scriptural references to Israel and the church, he enters into a one-to-many relationship with his people. But more importantly, he enters into a one-to-one relationship with his children. He calls each of us by name.

When I began to hear and follow the voice of Jesus as a young man, all other voices faded in contrast to the beauty, authority and purpose of his voice. By listening to him, I learned each day was a new adventure filled with his presence and power in me. Now, more than 15,000 days of adventure have passed. Each morning, I wake with the anticipation of following his voice.

Jesus is speaking to me. Am I listening to and following his voice? Or am I listening to and following other voices? It is true that the longer you walk with him, the better you will be able to discern his voice.

Pattern

Talk with Jesus like he’s here because — he is. Acknowledge in your heart and mind that he is already here based on his many promises. Speak out loud as if you were one of the first followers experiencing the physical presence of Jesus. Try leaving your eyes open; I find this helps me imagine his presence in the room, even though I can’t see him. Do this throughout the day. I find it most natural when my mind is less active: making coffee, stretching before my workout, taking a stand-up break, driving, washing dishes, brushing my teeth and so on.

Overcoming the objection

This may feel awkward at first, but remember, Jesus said, “Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 18:4, NIV). A young child has little shame and great confidence in the presence of his or her parents.

Prayer

Jesus, thank you for calling me by name. Teach me to discern your voice each hour. I will follow you where you lead by the strength of your Spirit.