Sheep

My sheep listen to my voice; I know them and they follow me. John 10:27

I know many of you will not be at all surprised that my second blog post from New Zealand is about sheep, because there are so many here.  However, Jesus referred often to sheep so I am confident that it's fine for me to do the same!

This past week Colin and I were watching a TV program which follows the NZ Highway Patrol Police and incidents in their day.  Part of this episode was about a runaway sheep on a fairly well used road.  This poor sheep had become separated from the flock, perhaps by her own curiosity about the wide world, and escaped through a fence, or she may have been separated from a flock that had been driven down a road between pastures.

The Police officer tried to encourage her off the road but every time he would stop and try to approach her she would run off madly into the road causing traffic to have to brake to avoid hitting her.  She was a real traffic hazard and no matter what the policeman tried she ran off her own way.  Finally, and sadly, she had to be shot because she was exhausted and uncooperative.  Really, she determined her own end, though there are many reasons we could find to excuse her behaviour.

Jesus likened us to sheep and said that his sheep listen to his voice. The Merriam-Webster dictionary gives a few definitions among which are "to hear something with thoughtful attention" and the one that I like for the context of my purpose here; "to be alert to catch an expected sound".

Jesus expects us to listen for his voice.  I have to admit I am not always good at doing this, so that is my challenge today.  He is speaking in so many ways; through his word; through our own spirit; through others; through the beauty of creation and so on.  We need to be alert and be prepared to follow his leading.  It may well be a lifesaver for us.  It will certainly keep us 'in with the flock' because we know from his word that we are to seek the safety and security of fellowship with other believers, and it is so much more important as we see the signs of his return (Hebrews 10:25).

Whose voice are you listening to today?

Prayer:  Dear Shepherd of my soul, help me to listen for your voice with expectancy and willingness to obey, today and every day.  Thank you that you are always communicating with us in so many ways.  Amen

Purpose

                                                            Photo by Jenny Williamson

 “I must preach the kingdom of God to the other cities also, because for this purpose I have been sent."  Luke 4:43

Moving house and country has been a part of my life.  I was 5 when my parents emigrated from England to New Zealand; 11 when we moved to Fiji for 16 months; 20 and newly married when we moved to Singapore for 2 years; 30 when we moved to Papua New Guinea for 9 years; almost 40 when we moved to Australia; 48 when we moved to Hong Kong for 13 years.  We were back in  Australia for 6 years and a week ago we made what we believe to be our final move (this side of heaven), back to New Zealand.  You could call us the 'happy wanderers'!

In each place I have lived I can look back and see that God was working in my life and I am so thankful that now, in what some would call my 'twilight years',  I know that God still has a purpose for my life and it's for me to find and fulfil it, by His grace.

As Christians our part is to discover our God given gifts and then to find where and how God desires to use them.  I am a fan of The Voice talent programme and I have found some of the comments of the coaches to be challenging.  Last season one said, "You've got to be out of your comfort zone or you are not going to grow."  Just recently another said, "You've been given a gift, that is a privilege, now it's your responsibility to develop and refine that gift and use it wisely."  In a recent interview well known singer, Michael Buble, spoke about his life as a performer and how he couldn't go out with the crew after a concert when they were on tour, he had to go home and rest his voice and his body and spend time quietly in order to maintain stamina and keep his voice protected.  Discipline.

We are disciples and discipline should be a hallmark of our lives if we are to fulfil God's purposes in the places that he positions us.  Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 9:27 But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.   Yes, we miss it, life happens and disruptions come to throw us off key at times but let's be diligent to get back on track in our devotional life so that we keep in mind that today has a purpose.  Let's look to Jesus who loves us and equips and enables us to fulfil our purpose, by His grace.

Prayer:  Father, please help me to be faithful in my devotion to you and attention to your Word that I might fulfil your purposes for me today.  Amen