The one who enters through the gate is the shepherd of the sheep.
The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep recognize his voice and come to him.
He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. After he has gathered his own flock, he walks ahead of them, and they follow him because they know his voice.
John 10:2-4 (NLT)
When our first son was born, the nurses handed our little miracle to my husband, tightly swaddled in a blanket. Eyes wide open, Andrew gazed at the bright lights in the delivery room. But as soon as my husband spoke, Andrew’s eyes turned towards his father. Though he’d never seen his dad, he recognized his father’s voice.
Likewise, sheep recognize their shepherd’s voice. Sheep are simple, defenseless animals that require a shepherd to lead them. Yet they can distinguish their shepherd’s voice from all others and come to him when he calls. They know he will care for them, protect them, and lead them to green pastures and quiet waters. They trust him implicitly.
It is important that we learn how to differentiate between God’s voice and those other voices who seek us harm. First of all, God’s voice is gentle and loving. Second, God’s voice is never contrary to what the Bible teaches. God will never contradict Himself. Third, God’s voice is personal. John tells us the shepherd calls his sheep by name and gathers them unto himself. He will guide us if we are willing to listen to His voice and follow.
Take time to get acquainted with the Shepherd’s voice. Amongst all the others, His is the voice of love.