“My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.”
-John 10:27 (NKJV)
I’m so thankful for God’s voice in my life.
I saw something recently that brought sadness to my heart. I was privately thinking about the many ways I’ve felt left out and pushed aside. My mind began to recount the years prior and how much I’ve missed when the voice of God came in and interrupted the memories that were flashing through my mind.
He said, “That way would’ve held you back from where I was taking you.”
I broke at those words. They came in with both peace and power, completely shifting the way I was seeing.
Rather than feeling left out and left behind, I was reminded that I’ve been on the path that God established in advance for me, living out the call on my life. This path has positioned me to live out my purpose; it’s shaped me and molded me into the vessel I am today, and I wouldn’t trade it.
I wouldn’t go back and change it.
I know God’s voice and I’m following His lead in every area of my life.
His way has been my freedom — living on purpose, for His purpose; I haven’t missed a thing!
God’s voice interrupted a thought process that could’ve very easily spiraled into depression or even caused me to make course changes that were not His will for my life. Instead, He helped me see clearly and kept my path straight so I could remain steadfast in Him.
Trying to be a part of something God led me away from would’ve completely taken me off course.
His words put confidence in an area where sentiment started to weaken, and at the sound of His voice . . . I was strengthened!
The only way I’ve been able to stay the course all these years is because I’ve made sure I’m hearing Him, and then choose to follow what He’s saying. I’ve had to shut down the feelings of being left out or not a part of the memories in many ways and continue on.
And I’m not just talking about worldly situations…I’ve been led the opposite of the church crowd, including moments where an entire congregation is being led one way, but God tells me, “No, that’s not what I’m saying — follow Me.”
I’ve had to choose which voice I’m going to follow, even if it means going against those who mean well. This way of life has opened me up to live with such confidence and freedom it’s hard to put into words.
If I hadn’t trained myself in the secret place, I wouldn’t be able to discern His still small voice in those moments of noise that can come in and cloud my thinking. I’ve had to still myself by quieting my mind, opening up His Word, and waiting upon Him until I know, that I know, that I know — He’s speaking.
I don’t quit after thirty seconds if I “don’t hear anything.”
I don’t let doubt come in and tell me that I can’t hear His voice; I believe Him at His Word — I am His sheep, and I hear Him.
When I pray, I pause and wait to hear His reply, and then by faith, I follow what He’s saying.
I want to encourage you today to train yourself to hear God’s voice. Know the way He speaks to you. Learn to tune out feelings, sentiments, and what others are saying, all the way to how others are following Jesus and what they’re doing with their life and press into Him. Be sure God’s voice isn’t getting drowned out by other voices, and you’re actually following Him.
He has a perfect, tailor-made path that He’s laid out for you, and when you’re on that path, hearing His voice, and following Him, you won’t miss a thing — you’ll find the fullness of life your soul is longing for.
Then Jesus said to His disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow Me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for Me will find it.” — Matthew 16:24-25 (NIV)
Our human understanding can’t comprehend the freedom, inner peace, and fulfillment we could have until we fully give up our way for His, hear His voice, and wholeheartedly follow Him.
