Following

“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.”

John 10:27

It is God’s nature to speak. He speaks all the time, all around us. He speaks in dreams, through people, or directly into our hearts as a small voice.   There is a man in the Old Testament who we can learn much about this. This man is Samuel. His was vital in transitioning Israel’s government. He was a leader among prophets and held military power as a judge in Israel. He had influence, authority, and was a spiritual overseer of his nation. Samuel’s story of listening to God’s voice doesn’t begin with big-national level stuff. His story begins when he was a little boy sleeping in the tabernacle (1 Samuel 3). God calls his name in a small whisper but Samuel doesn’t understand. God calls for him again and, instead of ignoring it, he awoke, followed that voice, and his life was never the same. We were created to hear from God. Often he will prompt our attention with something small: An act of kindness or a quiet direction to take a left instead of right. Other times it’s a bigger step: moving countries or changing jobs. But his goal as our good shepherd isn’t to harm us but to lead us into new life. Be encouraged that his voice is always our guiding light.