“My sheep hear my voice; I know them, and they follow me.” – John 10:27
We live in a world filled with noise. We are bombarded by 24-hour news programs, streaming videos, and the ever-increasing chaos of modern life. Many of these good things help make us more productive, more connected, and more capable of helping those in need. However, all this activity can also make it more difficult to hear the simple song of the Shepherd.
If we are to love the Lord, we must follow Him. If we are to follow Him, we must heed His call. To heed His call, we must hear His call, and that requires silence. One could also call it stillness, patience, or peace.
In actuality, to be still is to put the virtue of faith into practice. Patience is the art of waiting with hope for the One in whom we have placed all our trust. As the Psalmist says, “Wait for the LORD, take courage; be stouthearted, wait for the LORD!” (Psalm 27:14).
Perhaps it is our lack of faith that has made modern society so hyperactive. We quickly lose patience with our problems and try taking things into our own hands, instead of confidently and quietly staying tuned for the instructions of the Savior. We wrongly assume that we are in control, so we scramble around trying to put together the pieces of a puzzle that is ultimately beyond our capacity to solve.
Imagine this: A group of sheep grazes upon a hillside. Suddenly, a wolf appears, lurking near the edge of the woods. The Shepherd sees the situation and tries calling the sheep toward safety. Unfortunately, they cannot hear Him, because they’ve broken out into a fearful frenzy, bleating at the top of their lungs and running in every direction. If only they would stand still and listen!
Surely, that is how God must feel about us sometimes. He loves us and wants to show us the way of peace and freedom, but unless we stop and make time to listen, we will never hear His voice.
So, we must be still, be silent, and spend some time with God in prayer. We must make some space for a sacred encounter with the King of Love, our Shepherd. Ultimately, the best thing we can do to love and follow Him is to let Him lead us.
Merciful Father, give us ears to hear your Voice and willing hearts ready to respond to your call to love one another. Amen.
