I know that voice. Its familiar tone and pace. As soon as I hear it, thoughts and images flood my mind. It is a voice I’ve heard so many times. Whether I was 6 or 36, I know that voice. As it gets closer I smile. I see their face, it matches the voice. It is the voice of my Father.

Over the years, I have listened to him speak. I have heard what he has to say. The more I listen the more I know. I read what he writes, I see what He does. I know Him before I see Him. It is amazing what a voice can convey. The message of the voice matches all that I know of the character of the messenger.

As soon as I hear another voice, I can easily tell it is not my Father. The voice tells it all. I do not need to see them. It is plain to hear, they are not my Father. As the voice approaches everything in me yells “flee”! “Run from here my son”. Without another thought I am away. As I run, I am trying to hear my Father’s voice. Once I hear it, I pursue it. I follw it. It comforts me and soothes my heart.

I have come to know the voice of my Father. It is familiar. And I know it is Him before I see Him. The power of a voice. As long as I live I want to study and follow His voice. His voice has always lead me to still waters. It has always given me green pasture. He restores my soul. I long to listen to His voice, so that until my last day I will know Him before I see Him.  As long as I hear Him, I see Him. I love my Father, and my Father loves me. He is a good, good, Father.

Do you listen to the voice of the Father? Do you spend time with Him? Do you know His voice better than all others? My prayer is that you know your Father. He is speaking, but are you listening?

“Truly, truly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door but climbs in by another way, that man is a thief and a robber. 2 But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 To him the gatekeeper opens. The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. 5 A stranger they will not follow, but they will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.”

John 10:1-5