A Safe Voice

He had been here before, but it had been a few years, and unfortunately, he doesn't see or walk as well as he did last time. As he sniffed and marked, then sniffed and stumbled a bit, I could tell he had enough. It was time for some treats to reward his bravery for making sure all was safe. I could also tell he was confused, looking around and not sure which way to go or where I was standing. 

I called to him a time or two, and he turned towards the sound of my voice- a familiar voice and a voice he trusted. I kept talking to him as we made it back to the garage and into the house for his morning wages. As I write this, he is lying by my feet, taking his state-required morning break right before his scheduled breakfast meeting.   

He may not see very well anymore, and his mind plays a few tricks on him, but he knows the sound of my voice, and he trusts it and follows it.  

"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. They won't follow a stranger; they will run from him because they don't know his voice." (John 10:3)

This sparked two very difficult questions for me to wrestle with:

1. Do my family and my team know the sound of my voice, and do they trust it?
2. Do I truly know the sound of my Shepherd's voice to the point that when I hear it calling me, I trust it, follow it, and rest by His feet?

A crown does not make a king, nor a title a leader.

Leadership is defined by its followers. People follow what they trust. People trust over time because of their experiences and connection with those they choose to follow. Does your team and family know and trust your voice? Do they hear it often? Does it lead them to safety and nourishment?

Jesus is the Good Shepherd. Without Him, I'm just a dull, nasty sheep wandering around amongst wolves looking for what feels and tastes good. When I listen to the voice of my Shepherd, He leads me to safety. When I don't, well...the wolves of the world have their way with me. What about you? What voice are you following? Do you even recognize His voice when He calls to you?

Looking at Louie calmly lying there on the ground next to me, I'm reminded of the peace that comes from following The Shepherd's voice and resting in Him. Also, the great and important burden of leading others to the same place. Who knows and trusts your voice? In whose pasture are you finding rest?