When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. John 10:4
Just as I was leaving for work one morning, I received a phone call, during which time, I allowed the caller to speak down to me, to demean me, to question my character. I sat in silence, as I had so many times before, letting this person believe they had the right to speak to me that way.
I tolerated it because, on some level, I believed I deserved it. Even though I knew these accusations were untrue, there was a tiny part of me that thought, maybe, what this person was saying was a little true. For years, I heard negative, critical rants about who I was, but I didn’t know how to say “stop”.
I didn’t know at the time that the words being spewed at me spoke more about the speaker than they did about me. When I ended the call, the words hung in the air, permeated my soul, and clouded my mind. My heart was discouraged and defeated.
I turned on the radio as I continued my drive to work. The song “I Am New” by Jason Gray came on. During the song, the lyrics speak of how God sees us, adjectives include: beloved, worthy, accepted, and chosen. This was the first time I had heard this song, and the tears began to flow down my cheeks unchecked. I pulled the car over and let the words wash over me. That song was a reminder of who I am and more importantly, whose I am. The words were the antidote to what I had just heard. It was love to counteract the hate. It was just what I needed at that moment.
There have been so many times in my life that a song has been a powerful conduit of God’s word. Because I know my Father, I know the sound of His voice, even if it is coming through the radio of my car during my morning commute. I am so grateful that He uses any means possible to let me know I am worthy of His love.
John 10:16
I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them in as well, and they will listen to My voice. Then there will be one flock and one shepherd.
John 10:27
My sheep listen to My voice, I know them, and they follow me.