Scripture
My sheep hear my voice. I know them, and they follow me.—John
10:27
Reflection
How many times have you picked up the phone and knew who was on the
line by hearing the caller speak? You recognized the voice; you’ve heard
it so often. You have no doubt about who is calling.
One of the important facets of discernment is learning to recognize
God’s voice. A good method for initiating yourself into the recognition of
God’s voice is to use your favorite version of the Bible and read one of
the four Gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke, or John. Read them out loud if
possible.
As you read the scriptures, you will notice a tone, a pattern to the
language, a cadence to the poetry that, once heard, is recognized when you
hear it again. It “feels” a certain way. It “looks” a certain way. You
will begin to recognize “the Voice” as it is represented by the writer of
the Gospel you are reading. You will become familiar with the way God
interacts with people and incorporate hearing God’s voice into your life.
Action
Begin reading the Gospel of your choosing out loud to yourself and
with your family. Be aware of the voice and action taking place. Read it
for the good story it is. Read it and listen for God’s voice.
Prayer
Pray that the discipline of scripture reading will help you discern
God’s voice. Uphold the needs of the church as members strive to hear and
understand God’s call through the precious gift of scripture. |
