'“and the sheep follow Him because they know His voice.” John 10:4
Recently, I was gifted me some audio files of interviews with my paternal Grandfather conducted almost 40 years ago. What a treasure! I was excited to hear my Grampa’s voice and learn some of our family history. But when I started to listen, I thought, “This isn’t my Grampa’s voice!”
More than 25 years have passed since I have heard his voice. My Grampa’s voice had become unfamiliar to me. However, the longer I listened to the voice, the more familiar it became. Yes, that was my Grampa’s voice, after all. Then I reveled in the sound of it! I hung on his every word, trying to “hug” him with my ears. How I love and miss my Grampa! When the interviews were finished, I lamented it. My heart longed to hear his voice and stories over and over again.
I realized that listening to the voice of my Good Shephard (Jesus) is similar to listening to those audio files. If I do not hear His voice for a long time (through distance or neglect), it will become unfamiliar to me. The more I listen to The Shephard’s voice, the more familiar it becomes, and the more certain I am that it is Him speaking. Oh how I revel in the sound of my Shephard’s voice! I hang on His every Word because I love Him.
Fortunately, my interviews with my Good Shephard never need to end like the recorded interviews with my Grampa. I have the privilege of hearing my Shephard’s voice all day, every day, if I will only quiet my soul and listen.
Soon, and very soon, I will be able to see My Shepard face to face. Finally, I will be able to put a face to the voice that I have embraced all these years. I will see my Grampa’s face again too. What a day that will be when I celebrate my Savior with my loved ones who have gone before me! Come, Lord Jesus, Come!