Devotions with Holly Woodbridge

One Voice Among Many – a pondering by Holly Woodbridge

It’s gotten very loud in our world. There are voices all around us, directing, persuading, prodding and very often misleading. We watch throngs of people follow like sheep this way and that. Who are we to listen to? Who are we to believe?

We hear voices of fear that lead to despair. Voices of anger that lead to destruction, voices of protest that lead to division.

Voices everywhere- we watch as flocks of people follow this way and that, rarely stopping to consider, reflect or pray. We, too, get caught up. We, too, are directed, persuaded, and distracted.
What are we to do?

John 10:   says, “The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep.  The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.  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.”

 “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me—  just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep.  I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd. ”

There is ONE voice to listen to, ONE voice that really matters. The voice of our Good Shepherd. The voice that leads to life. He says,

“ I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pasture.  The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”

This voice brings hope from despair, light out of darkness, peace in the midst of madness, and unity from division.

So today, listen to the Good Shepherd. I encourage you to read all of John 10 and remember who our shepherd is.

Gentle Shepherd come and lead us, For we need you to help us find our way
Gentle Shepherd come and feed us, For we need your strength from day to day
There's no other we can turn to, Who can help us face another day
Gentle Shepherd come and lead us, For we need to you to help us find our way
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So, if you’re gonna be a sheep, why not follow Jesus, our good and gentle Shepherd?

Photo by Sam Carter on Unsplash