My sheep hear My voice.

The Fourth Sunday of Easter is also known as Good Shepherd Sunday. We acknowledge that Jesus is our Shepherd, and we are His sheep. He loves, teaches, and protects us. Our role is to hear, trust and follow Him.

We live in a society that constantly bombards us with information. From email to billboards, texts to television, even the most sheltered among us can experience sensory overload on a daily basis. With all that going on, how do we hear the voice of our Shepherd who speaks quietly in our hearts?

The key to hearing Jesus’ voice is to give ourselves the gift of His peace for at least a few moments each day. Make an unbreakable appointment with yourself to sit and listen to the voice within. It doesn’t have to be long, but it does need to be uninterrupted and focused. It can take the form of prayer or conversation or silence. Only by spending time with Jesus will we be able to recognize His voice over the distractions of the world around us.

Making these quiet moments a regular priority will strengthen our relationship with Jesus. We will become sheep who are close to the Shepherd, less vulnerable and less likely to wander down a rocky path. As we become more adept at hearing our Shepherd’s voice, we will be more productive members of His flock.