We are currently in a series looking at God, and specifically Jesus, as shepherd of us his sheep. In the time the Bible was written, shepherds had very close relationships with their sheep and they knew them by name and the sheep knew and would follow the voice of the shepherd. This ability of sheep to be trained in this way and to actually be led around by a shepherd without fences and in modern times even across busy roads with cars and traffic, shows that sheep are not stupid. Jesus says in John 10:3-4 that the sheep know his voice and will follow him.
John 10:3-4 The watchman 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.
Would you say that you know and listen to the “voice of Jesus” in your life, or do you feel that God is distant or silent or non-communicative? We need to be honest in this space, but also trust that it is possible to get to know the voice of God more clearly, and to trust that God actually wants to communicate to us and lead us through life. So if your desire is to hear the voice of Jesus more, then how can you help that to happen? If God is desiring to speak, how can we tune in and learn to hear his voice?
I think the answer to this question is both simple and complex all at the same time, much like any other human relationship you have with another person. If we think about God speaking more like we would approach our relationship with a person, then I believe we will find him more accessible and less distant. So practically, imagine having coffee with a friend. Firstly you have to show up, and this might mean making time for God, going to church, making time in your day to actually focus on him. Secondly you need to sharpen your listening and cut our other voices. If you are in a coffee shop where there is lots of noise, you need to look at and focus on the person across from you and tune out the person on the table next to you. So with God, we need to reduce the distractions, create some space and silence so we can hear his voice better. Turn off your phone, find a space conducive to connecting with God (garden, beach, lounge chair with a coffee or tea).
Before we meet with a friend we probably have been in communication with them, so reading God’s communication to us (the Bible) is also really important in hearing his voice because he has spoken in lots of ways already. God is not on “speed dial” or a hot line; we have to be willing to engage with what he has already communicated to us. As we get to know God through scripture, through being more intentional in making space for him, in tuning out other voices and distractions, then we begin to tune in to his voice more clearly. But this takes time and practice. Part of prayer is about coming in an attitude of listening, not just “worrying in God’s general direction” with a list, and then hurrying off and complaining God never speaks.
Jesus said that the Holy Spirit would be our guide and would lead us into all truth, so as we do these practices, offer yourself and your ears to the voice of the Spirit and be expectant that God will begin to reveal his whisper and voice over time. Value “wasting time with God” and over a few weeks and months I believe you will notice a shift and be able to tune in more easily to the voice of the Shepherd of your soul.
Grace and Peace - Garry