I was recently around a family consisting of a father, mother, and their newborn daughter.  I have to admit, I’m a sucker for babies in general so I was smitten watching their interaction and the joy that exuded from the new parents of this beautiful baby girl.  I watched the scene unfold.  As is to be expected many family and friends surrounded the baby (who was about a month old).  Everyone who came in contact with her felt the need to touch and talk to the baby, all commenting on how beautiful she was was.  After a minute or two the father was called to another room for some random reason leaving mom and baby with everyone else.  About 20 minutes passed.  The father walked back in to the room and was having a conversation with someone who was standing near the baby.  Instantaneously you could sense recognition in this baby girls eyes as they widened and she did her best to find that voice that she knew so well.  After a minute of this searching someone called him over to pick her up.  Once she was in her father’s arms she stopped her search and quickly slipped off to sleep.  Whether she chose to receive it or not there was love, comfort, and protection in those arms.

This child’s recognition of her Dad reminded me of a familiar scripture found in John 10:27.  It states, “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them and they follow me.”  I was struck with a few thoughts in that moment though I will try to limit them for the sake of time.  No doubt this baby heard her father’s voice while in her mother’s womb.  Upon entering this world, I would imagine, his voice was one of the first she heard and continued to hear over the past month of her sweet little life on this planet.  How did she know him?  Because of the time she had spent with him.  Why did their bond exist?  Because each had made a choice to be with the other (well, the baby didn’t have much of a choice though I suspect she would choose being in Daddy’s presence above others).  The scripture above states that the sheep ‘LISTEN to my voice.’  Listening is a choice.  No doubt the sheep chose to listen to their shepherd as they realized early in the process he was their source of food, protection, and more.  It continues by stating, “…I know them and they follow me.”  Do you think those sheep would follow anyone else?  It’s HIGHLY possible–especially if you were to lure them away with something they desire.  After all, EVERYONE struggles with fleshly desires.  Get where I’m going here? 

Other voices may be unfamiliar but may still be able to exert influence should we, the sheep, allow it. We can’t know our Saviors voice and know what voice to follow if we haven’t spent time with Him.  And be assured, you WILL be surrounded by a LOT of voices in your life.  Intimacy with the shepherd insures you will know the difference between the real thing and an imposter.  The imposter is looking to steal, kill, and destroy you.  He/she/it will NEVER have your best interest at heart.  The REAL shepherd desires to protect His sheep because He loves and cares for them.  Are you spending quality time with your shepherd today?  It may seem stern but– knowing HIS voice could be the difference between life and death, not only in your life but in the situations you deal with.  Do you REALLY know Him?  Can you tell the difference between the real voice of God or an imposter?  Do you KNOW His voice?  Well…..do you?