We’ve all seen people who appear to be ignoring a conversation until a word comes up that catches their attention. And we all know children who seem to have “selective listening” when reminded about their chores. Many of us hear only what we want to hear.
Sheep know the voice of their shepherd and will come only to his call. If someone else calls, they go on grazing, oblivious to the unfamiliar voice.
We are often the same way; we have trained ourselves to perk up at topics that interest us. It could be the score of a ballgame, new idea to make more money, or a splashy headline about our favorite celebrity. We tend give our attention to the things that hold priority in our lives. Just as we tune our TVs and radios to stations that broadcast our favorite programs, we tune our mental attention to our favorite subjects.
So who is our shepherd? Is it wealth, popularity, pleasure seeking, indulgence in the creature comforts? Is it the accumulation of material goods? Or have we trained ourselves to ignore these distractions and listen to the still, small voice of God?
If the Lord is our Shepherd, we learn to block out the enticements of the world. We seek His guidance through prayer, study, and quiet contemplation. We look at others with love and compassion and seek to bless and lift those around us, just as the Good Shepherd would. His is the voice we try to follow. Others may beckon, and crowds may follow after fleeting distractions. But if we carefully choose our priorities, we’ll hear the one True Shepherd. His is the voice we will seek and follow, the voice that will never lead us astray.
Program #3941