Oct
13
2012

A Voice Calling

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Sirens…such a disconcerting sound.
The other night the air was filled with them.
In our little town, the firehouse is less than a mile away.
We are used to hearing sirens when and if the fire department is ever called.

This was different.
This sounded like many alarms from neighboring towns.
I couldn’t tell if it was the sound of police sirens…which we hear on some of the country roads…or fire alarm sirens…responding to a call.

The sirens seemed to go on for over an hour.
Thankfully, everyone here arrived home safely.
No one noticed anything different as they traveled their normal route.
A mystery.

I thought for sure I would read about it the next morning in our local paper.
Nothing…not even buried inside.

As the sirens were going off, I went out on our deck.
Living in the woods, sound can play tricks on you.
You are not always able to tell which direction a sound is coming from.

In the little historic village, in the center of our town, there is a ball field.
We can sit on our deck and hear the families cheer for their children.
We can hear the wonderful music when there is a fiddler’s picnic in the summer.
The sound seems to be carried on the wind at times.

While on the deck, trying to discern the direction of the sirens, I heard a voice.
First, I thought I was hearing things.
I listened again…and there it was.

I could not distinguish what it was saying…but it seemed close by.
It sounded like the voice of only one person.
How I wish I knew what it said.
How I wish I knew where the voice was coming from.

I quickly went inside.
Do you ever have one of those nights when you feel unsettled?
This was one of those nights.

It would be nice to have closure to the mystery.
Were the sirens police sirens?
Were they looking for someone?
Was there someone in the woods?
Was the sound just playing a cruel trick on me?

Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.” (Isaiah 30:21)

The other night, on my deck, the voice seemed to be coming from the woods in front of me.
I could hear it…but I couldn’t see the person that the voice belonged to.
I thought of the Isaiah verse…and the grace of God.

God’s Word says that the Voice will be heard behind me…telling me which way to go.

The Voice is heard…but unseen.
Yet the One behind the voice sees me!
I pictured Someone walking behind me…protecting me…directing me ever so gently.
This is the way, walk in it.

There is one difference between the voice on my deck and the Voice behind me.
I know the Voice that guides.
I do not know the voice I heard in the woods.

When He has brought out all His own, He goes on ahead of them, and His sheep follow Him because they know His voice. But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger’s voice. (John 10:4,5)

We know the voice of the Shepherd…if we belong to Him.
We know it well.
It doesn’t matter if the voice is in front of us…or behind us.
It is a familiar voice…a comforting voice.

How blessed we are to be led by the Shepherd.
We have nothing to fear.
A shepherd gives his sheep green pastures…just enough for today.
The Good Shepherd gives us direction…just enough for the next step.

What grace!
Can you imagine a voice barking orders…more than you can ever comprehend?
Directions given much too fast…with too many steps.

The Voice we know…the Voice we listen to…directs a single step.
One foot in front of the other.
If we stumble, the Voice behind us…sees us…and is ready to catch us when we fall.

Do you see it?
Imagine the parent of a child taking their first little side-steps.
They stand behind the child…arms out…ready for any falter…for any loss of balance.
The child is wobbly…unsure…unsteady.
The child begins to feel safe because of the arms that are behind him.

It is no different with us.
We are the wobbly children…off balance…unsure.
God the Father…with His arms extended…watches every step.
God the Father…ready in a heartbeat…directs us …guides us…one step at a time.

Rejoice in the Voice that quietly calls from behind.
Know it.
Listen for it.
No fear!

 

 

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