“They will not follow a stranger, but they will run from him because they do not know the voice of strangers”
-John 10: 5 – extended reading John 10:1-10
Think of a person in your life who has a memorable voice. Maybe it’s an aunt whose warm tone brings you comfort, a neighbor whose loud laugh makes you chuckle, or a mentor whose encouragement cuts through your inner noise. For me, it was my grandma: her voice was soft, crackly, tender, and meek. It was shaped by years of early mornings on the farm and weathered from raising five children.
And yet, Grandma’s voice was a strong voice. Her gentle authority didn’t need volume to be heard. One of her many cross-stitch creations hung on her wall until she passed away. And now, I’m blessed to have it on my wall. It’s a visual reminder tome of her sweet voice, as well as the guiding voice of our Good Shepherd. In John 10, Jesus compares Himself to a shepherd whose sheep instinctively know His voice and follow Him. But in our daily lives, countless other voices compete for that same attention!
We are inundated by the whispers of greed, the murmurs of discontent, the hiss of comparison, the hollow echo of wealth or lust, and the relentless chatter on social media. Those “stranger voices” act like thieves: they promise fulfillment, yet they leave us anxious, insecure, and spiritually drained. Jesus advises His sheep not to follow those “stranger voices.’ He tells them to run from them. To experience the full, abundant life Jesus promises, we need to train our ears to tune out the noises of the world so that we can listen to the Good Shepherd. His voice brings truth, grace, acceptance and peace.
Prayer: Good Shepherd, teach us to hear Your voice above every “stranger’s call.” Lead us into the pasture of Your safety and abundance. Thank you for calling us by name and loving us. Amen
Written by Rachel Delaney