Grace and I had a wonderful time in Hawaii last week. The primary activity of the vacation was not doing all that tourist stuff, or hitting the beaches. Much of the time was simply spent with our one-year-old grandnephew Andrew; mostly just hanging out at home. This was our first opportunity to meet him personally. And it was such a blessing.
Getting to know Andrew was an interesting and entertaining experience. There was one particular thing his parents observed about him: Andrew consistently responded to one very specific stimulus. There was one song that always caught his attention and quite consistently elicited a positive response from him. Actually, it was not just the song but the first part of the song, and only by a very specific artist. Sure enough, whatever he was doing every time his parents played the song, Andrew would turn to listen, with a big smile on his face, and even kicking his feet with excitement. No miss. It always happened. Even when it was played again and again.
But when another song was played, or even the same song with a different artist, that same excited response was not there. Somehow Andrew had become quite attached to that particular voice and sound, and excitedly responded only to that.
As I thought about this, I remembered Jesus’ teaching about his disciples: The good shepherd walks ahead of his sheep “and they follow him because they know his voice. They won’t follow a stranger; they will run from him because they don’t know his voice” (John 10.4–5 NLT).
This gives a picture of a people who respond to only one voice, that of the Lord. It’s about following his instruction and guidance alone, not allowing other influences or the pressures of this world to distract them from the Lord’s will and his way.
Such following is not considered a burden, but is accompanied by a sense of joy and excitement. Just as Andrew got excited about hearing the song and voice of that artist, a disciple of Jesus follows him not by compulsion, but because he or she loves the Lord: “If you love me, you will obey my commandments … The person who has my commandments and obeys them is the one who loves me” (John 14.15, 21 NET).
It’s worthwhile to consider the matter: whose voice do I listen to and get excited about following?
—Keith Y. Jainga