Stop, Look and Listen

When I was a child, my mother taught me a little poem to help me remember to be careful when crossing the street. In turn, I taught it to my children. And today, I still think of it whenever I take that first step onto a road.

“Stop, look and listen before you cross the street. Use your eyes and use your ears before you use your feet!”

When those wise words are followed, we will avoid stepping into a harmful and dangerous situation. And, when those wise words are applied with a Biblical perspective to the choices we face in our lives, we are better equipped to make the right decision.

When we stop to pray, look in God’s word and listen for His answers we will avoid taking that dangerous wrong step. But how do we learn to hear Him?

The shepherds of ancient Israel spent much of their lives in close proximity to their sheep. As the shepherd watched for hidden dangers in the fields and fed and watered their flock, the shepherd and sheep learned to recognize each other easily. Each night the shepherd led his sheep into the safety of the sheepfold. Often, the fold was comprised of more than one shepherd’s flock. But, the voice of the shepherd was so familiar to his sheep that when night passed and morning came, one call would bring only the sheep which belonged to him to the gate.

As we come to know our Lord and Shepherd, we too, will learn to recognize His voice.

“My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me” (John 10:27).

Being in daily communion with Him through quiet times, prayer, worship and service, will deepen our connection with Him.  Soon, His voice will be easily recognized for it will become familiar to our hearts. 

God is our Shepherd and Guide who lovingly cares for us throughout our lives. As we pray for His guidance when faced with a difficult choice we can be sure that He will direct us to safety. So, rather than running on ahead of our Lord, we need to actively pursue His answers by drawing near to Him. For the closer we come to Him, the more easily we will recognize His voice. As we step out in faith, we need to remember to kneel down and pray.

Trusting Him,

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek His will in all you do, and He will show you which path to take” (Proverbs 3:5-6).

Linked with:

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