Jesus I AmSample

When you have your first child, there are so many firsts that you will never forget. Do you remember the first time you spoke and your baby turned their head looking for you? I will never forget the first time my daughter recognized my voice. For the first several months of her life, I don't think she knew I existed. Between eating and sleeping, we didn't interact much. And then one day, I came home from work and she was playing on the carpet. When I spoke, her head jerked to the right and we made eye contact. She knew my voice.

From then on, I had the confidence that when I spoke, she would hear me and know that her father was speaking. I use my voice to protect her, guide her, instruct her, encourage her, teach her and affirm her. 

Jesus uses His voice the same way with His followers. Jesus is the shepherd. The sheep know His voice. John 10 tells us that He leads the sheep to safety. The sheep do not listen to the voices of strangers. He calls them all by name, and wherever He goes, the sheep follow Him.

Do you follow Jesus? Who do you listen to more; Jesus the good shepherd, or the voice of strangers? Follow Jesus. Listen to Jesus. He is not just a shepherd. Jesus is the Good Shepherd.