A KNOWN VOICE

A KNOWN VOICE
When he puts forth all his own, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice.
John 10:4 (NASB)

It was a mild November morning as our group headed out on the bird walk.  My grandbaby Lillian was with me in her carrier as we followed my daughter Elizabeth toward the wetlands.

“There’s a yellow rumped warbler,” Elizabeth said.

“How do you know?” I asked.

“I heard its call,” she said.

I stood amazed at my daughter’s bird watching skill.  She can name almost any bird without seeing it, simply by listening to its song.  The air was filled with birdsong, but she was able to recognize and identify the song of a yellow rumped warbler.  You see, she knew its voice.

I tucked this moment away in my heart to ponder later…

I remember some 15 years ago when she first became interested in birding. She bought books about birds.  She bought tapes of bird calls. She got connected with other birders. She invested in birding equipment such as binoculars and a birding scope. She studied hard and took every opportunity to go on birding trips. She began volunteering at the Wild Bird Center where she helps care for sick or injured birds.

Elizabeth continues to hone her birding skills and enjoys sharing her love and knowledge of birds with others.  She co-leads a bird walk once a month; and I have been fortunate enough to go along on many occasions.  Her love of birds is contagious and I can’t wait for our next birding adventure.

Tonight as I sat thinking about these things I was reminded of Jesus’ words found in John 10:4.  I opened my Bible and read the words out loud.

When he puts forth all his own, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice. John 10:4 (NASB)

I suddenly became aware of His sweet presence and I settled deeper into my chair to have a conversation with the One whose voice I have come to love.  I decided to tell Him all about the bird walk.  Of course He already knew all about it.  He was there the whole time!

“Lord,” I said, a bit breathless as I began to share about all the birds we had spotted and how Elizabeth had identified the yellow rumped warbler just by the sound of its voice.

He listened to me intently as though He had all the time in the world.  Of course He transcends time and He created time.  I brought my easily distracted thoughts back from the bunny trail they were about to hop down.

“Lord, the way Elizabeth so easily identified the yellow rumped warbler by the sound of its voice reminds me of how I am to know Your voice.  You know, to distinguish it from all the other voices that noisily call for my attention.”

“It is important to know My voice. To listen to My voice above the fray of ‘world voices’ that will try to deceive you.”

I grew quiet as I thought about that.  Jesus was talking to the Pharisees when He said those words.  The Pharisees had loud voices and had deceived many and were blind themselves.  They didn’t recognize the Messiah’s voice.  I thought about how the mocking bird imitates the song of other birds, and likewise there are imposters who put words in God’s mouth.  They attach God’s name to all sorts of statements and beliefs that are contrary to what God has actually said.  It can be confusing.  How can we discern God’s voice from all the other voices rising out of a noisy world?

Knowing my every thought He asked, “How did Elizabeth come to identify birds by their song?”

I smiled as I said, “She studied and learned about bird behavior and bird songs and she spent much time bird watching.”

“Spend much time in My Word.  Learn about Me, My character, what I say and then you will recognize imposters—those false teachers because what they say is contrary to what I have revealed about Myself in the Bible.  Stay connected to other believers and keep close company with Me.”

I sat awhile longer at the Well.  His voice spoke clearly from the pages of His Word.  Before I knew it, I had to go take care of some tasks, but as I headed out the door into the world and voices fill the air, One voice was familiar and I smiled with instant recognition.  You see, it is the voice of my Beloved.  My Savior and I fall in step with Him through my day.  How do I know it’s Him, you ask. That’s easy.  You see, I belong to Him and I know His voice.  Joy!

An Original Conversations at the Well
© Copyright Diana Morgan November 4, 2012