Listening To The Shepherd’s Voice
LENT 2025 DEVOTIONAL:
John 10:22-42 (NIV)
(Tina Khoo, Pastoral Team Member, Membership & Volunteer Care)
At the Feast of Dedication, Jesus was asked, “If you are the Messiah, tell us plainly.” His response pointed to His works: “The works I do in my Father’s name testify about me” (v25). Yet, the deeper issue isn’t clarity—it’s receptivity. Jesus said, “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me” (v27).
This passage invites me to reflect on what it means to truly hear and follow the voice of Jesus. He speaks plainly through His Word, His Spirit, and His creation, yet much like the religious leaders in the passage, I find myself easily caught up in doubt, distractions and self-reliance.
Jesus assures His followers that those who listen to Him are safe in the Father’s hand (v29). This isn’t just a promise of protection—it’s an invitation to rest in the security of His care. Lent is a time for me to examine my heart in order to remove barriers between me and God, and this passage challenges me to consider whether I’m truly tuned in to His voice or whether I have allowed other “voices” to drown Him out.
Two key practices that help me hear God’s voice amidst all the daily distractions and noises are centering prayer and examen. Centering prayer disciplines me to be still and sit in silence daily at least once a day for 10-20 minutes. Silence is the gateway to experiencing God’s presence. During this prayer time, I don’t busy myself or occupy my mind with a lot of words, asking God to do this or that. Instead, I surrender myself into God’s presence and allow Him to do whatever He wishes. The other practice that I do regularly is examen, usually in the evening. I reflect back on my day in terms of how aware I was of His presence and how I allowed my ego to direct my actions. Where I fall short of being Christlike, I resolve to do better not by my own strength but by relying on the Holy Spirit’s promptings and strength. These two practices have been the mainstay in my spiritual formation. I’m keenly aware that God is speaking to me all the time, but it takes discipline to receive His word and live a life that is led by Jesus, my Lord and my Messiah.
Reflection Questions:
1. What voices or distractions in your life compete with your ability to hear the voice of Jesus?
2. How can you trust more deeply in the Father’s assurance that you are held securely in His hand?
3. In what ways can you follow the Shepherd’s voice more faithfully during this Lenten season?
