Listening to God

 

My sheep listen to my voice; 

I know them, and they follow me.

 John 10:27 

Jesus, our Good Shepherd, promises that His sheep know His voice. But like actual sheep—defenseless, directionless, and prone to wander—we are not wise or capable on our own. We desperately need to be guided, not by instinct, but by relationship.

Listening to God is not a mystical experience reserved for a few. It is the daily discipline of all believers. But it requires something we often resist: stillness.

We live in a noisy world. Even our own thoughts can drown out God’s voice. Often, we sit down to pray and find our minds wandering—thinking about lunch, work, or someone’s shoes in church. Yet God invites us to draw those thoughts back and create space for quiet attentiveness.

God speaks in many ways:

• Through His Word, which is living and active (Hebrews 4:12).
  
  
• Through His Spirit, who guides us into all truth (John 16:13).
  
  
• Through mentors, prophets, and trusted leaders, like Eli guiding Samuel (1 Samuel 3).
  
  
• Through circumstances and creation, which declare His glory (Psalm 19:1).
  
  

If we are willing to listen, the Good Shepherd will faithfully lead us—guiding us with the wisdom and instruction our hearts need.

Are we making room to hear Him? Not just to speak, but to listen?

Let’s ask each day, “Lord, what are You saying?” Then pause. Wait. He speaks—sometimes in a whisper, sometimes through His Word, sometimes through a friend. But always in love.

Prayer

Lord, slow us down. Still our thoughts. Help us bring back our wandering minds and listen with quiet hearts. Speak through Your Word, by Your Spirit, and through those You’ve placed in our lives. We long not just to hear—but to follow. Amen.