By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo
John 10:3-4 "The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice." - NIV
Jesus taught about being a good Shepherd. We are symbolically the sheep. Key among the qualities that make Him a good Shepherd to the sheep, is the sheep’s ability to listen to His voice and leading. The Shepherd calls each sheep by name and leads them out in safety and to find pasture. The sheep should follow, having listened to Him.
This figure of speech contains deep lessons for us. God speaks. He wants to speak to each one of us. He does this in several ways; through the written word, the ordinary life situations, or through other people. The challenge is that most people either don’t recognize His voice, ignore or outrightly disobey it. This explains why they mess up, follow the stranger and don’t benefit from the cousel and safety of the good Shepherd.
Hearing God requires a listening and obedient attitude. It also needs a willingness to follow wherever He may lead, trusting that He never misleads. In following His is safety, solid counsel, meeting of all our needs, and an assurance of walking in His will. Let’s train ourselves to listen to God speaking to us all the time. Anyone of us can hear Him. You too can hear Him. And He speaks peace.
Psalm 23:2-3 "He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake."
Shalom children of God.