Voice Recognition

This post by Karen Jordan was originally published on the former Arkansas Ministers’ Wives blog on August 29, 2011.

My sheep recognize my voice. I know them, and they follow me. ( John 10:25 MSG)

As I listen to the birds singing their songs every morning, I wish I could distinguish one bird from another. I identify the honking geese as they fly over the lake, and I hear the woodpecker as he raps for his meal. I can see the difference between a robin and a sparrow, but I can’t tell them apart by their voices.

My husband Dan can recognize the voices of several birds. He knows the robin’s sweet song, and he is familiar with the squawking blue jay. He can even point out the mimicking mockingbird. So, I’m trying to learn a few voice recognition tips from him.

I struggle with the same issue in my spiritual life at times. Is this the voice of conviction or condemnation? Will I let faith lead me, or will I be confused and distracted by fear? Does this voice speak life or death to my heart? Does it give me direction or cause me to dwell on the impossible mistakes of the past?

And I’ve discovered a few tips for recognizing God’s Voice when I’m confused.

1. Communicate with God. “Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns” (Philippians 4:6).

2. Examine God’s Word. In John 10:14, Jesus says, “”I am the Good Shepherd. I know my own sheep and my own sheep know me.”

God’s Word also promises, “(His) sheep recognize (His) voice. (He knows) them, and they follow (Him). (He gives) them real and eternal life … No one can steal them from out of (His) hand” (27-29).

3. Allow God to examine your heart. “Investigate my life, O God, find out everything about me; Cross-examine and test me, get a clear picture of what I’m about; See for yourself whether I’ve done anything wrong-then guide me on the road to eternal life” (Psalm 139:23-24).

4. Embrace the power of Christ in you. “…Those who enter into Christ’s being-here-for-us no longer have to live under a continuous, low-lying black cloud. A new power is in operation. The Spirit of life in Christ, like a strong wind, has magnificently cleared the air, freeing you from a fated lifetime of brutal tyranny at the hands of sin and death” (Romans 8:1-2).

Sometimes I become distracted from God’s voice by the worries and stress of everyday life. Yet when I choose to focus on God’s Word, listening for His still, small voice, I find truth and peace for my troubled heart and mind.

As I listened to the chorus of birds singing this morning, I still could not tell one species from another. But in my spirit I knew that I was listening to a symphony of praise to our Creator. “Let every living, breathing creature praise God! Hallelujah!” (Psalm 150:6)

Photos/KarenJordan

What distracts you from hearing God’s Voice?