I find that when I want to have a serious conversation with anyone I need to eliminate any distractions. I can’t concentrate on the importance of what is being talked about if my computer screen is flickering in front of me, or the television is on, or there is a great deal of noise all around.
The same is true of our journey of faith. If we will have the assurance of the presence and power of God we must eliminate all the distractions in our lives and concentrate on the Lord. It is difficult to keep our hearts and minds and souls focused on what is holy and good when we are surrounded by all the things in life that will pull us away from God.
When questioned about his role as the Messiah Jesus compared himself to a shepherd. What do we – the sheep – do? What does Jesus give us? What assurance does God offer?
Jesus is often referred to as the Good Shepherd. Like a shepherd who tends sheep in a field, Jesus guides us and watches over us in our lives. He is there to prod us deeper in our faith. He is there to give us comfort and strength.
If we will have this secure foundation in our faith, if we will place all the tools of our beliefs into this backpack of God’s assurance, we must be willing to listen to the voice of Jesus. We must attune ourselves to his leading. We must pay attention to all that Jesus offers us.
And as we journey in our faith life we can rest assured that we are in the capable and loving hands of God. As Jesus said, God is greater than all and no one – not our enemies, not the temptations of life, not even our own failings – can snatch us from God’s care. Christ has given us eternal life through his loving sacrifice. It is there for us and that is the beginning point of any faith journey.
We must learn to hear the voice of Jesus in the things that we do. As we face each day with hope or despair, with anticipation or fear, we need to trust that Christ is there with us to watch over us.
DAILY CHALLENGE: Where do you hear the voice of Jesus in your life?
