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Today's Lenten Devotion
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He Calls His Sheep by Name
Let me set this before you as plainly as I can. If a person climbs over or through the fence of a sheep pen instead of going through the gates, you know he’s up to no good—a sheep rustler! The shepherd walks right up to the gate. The gatekeeper opens the gate to him and the sheep recognize his voice. He calls his own by name and leads them out. When he gets them all out, he leads them and they follow because they are familiar with his voice. They won’t follow a stranger’s voice but will scatter because they aren’t used to the sound.
-- John 10 (The Message)
The power of prayer strengthens us with an illuminating energy. It helps us to grieve and to realize that we are not prefect and subject to mistakes. Prayer is stronger than any man will never know, for you see it has worked miracles. If we look closely, prayer gives us road signs that tell us where we should be and what direction we should take.
The question is how does it start? Maybe as a child we went to church or Sunday school a few times a year, or a neighbor brought us to church on Sunday mornings, but we never really understood why we were going we just went. However, we felt like something was missing from our lives. We would try different hobbies, or worse - alcohol or drugs to fill that missing void. Something still seemed to be missing from our life, not feeling whole, kind of out of place, not fully complete and need to feel apart of. (A calling from God) This in turn, brings us to seek other sources to fill the void. Most of the time, we make the bad choices or choose to do nothing for the person within ourselves. This can be referred to as a temporary fix.
From my life experiences, I know the energy. I know what it is like to have God within, and what it feels like to live without God. Over a short period throughout I lost the support and guidance of many close friends and family members. The worst was the choice of life and death. How could God give a human, choice, of to let something live or die? That choice no one should have to make, but in the end, it was a choice made out of love. I realize now that having to ease my dog’s pain at nineteen years old has made me stronger and taught me to put things in God’s hands.
Let me back up for a moment, you see with all that I have mentioned, I stopped going to church regularly. I was angry with God. I felt like he had forsaken me. God tried to show me he was present, but I did not listen. Temptation was put in my path. I slipped and allowed temptation to fill the void within me. However, God’s love is overpowering. He was determined to guide me back into his arms.
Still, angry, confused, and overwhelmed by the stress of classes, work and my children, not to mention the evil ways I chose, God came through with his message. Food was given to us, when I did not have money, and at Christmas, - through the generosity of others - many gifts came to our home. This was the first of many signs of God’s love.
From September to mid January my family and I had gone to church only occasionally. I assisted teaching a children’s choir, and only went for them. God was keeping me within his grasp through the children ("a child shall lead us"). I tried to go back to church services, but felt as if I was not worthy of being there. The temptation that crossed my path was keeping me away – it was the evil trying to overcome me. I found myself questioning God and my faith. Still, I could not hear him or the words of his son Jesus. The words fell on deaf ears.
After Christmas, as I was cleaning out the file cabinet, I came across a "Things to be thankful for" picture that my daughter had made when she was in the first grade, (two years ago). The picture contained the words "I am thankful that my family goes to church together". I put it aside.
In early February, I was very stressed in a seminar I was attending for school. I had to do a research paper, which I thought was to be about an inspiring person. It was, in fact, supposed to be about what motivated that person to accomplish their achievements. Heather Whitestone (the first Miss America who is deaf) the person I chose to write about. Her motivation was God.
I was also working on trying to speak in public without shaking and becoming so nervous. I asked my instructor, "How do I overcome my nerves when standing in front of the class?" He replied, "Be prepared, but besides that… you know what it’s like to put things in God’s hands. If you are a vessel for him, it becomes his actions, not yours." He went on to say, "I know that it is easier said than done and I would think that even believers, at times, still need something a little more concrete ... " His words brought me to tears.
I realized at that moment that God was speaking to me through others; the Christmas gifts, my daughter’s picture the children’s choir, my research paper and now a direct impact from an instructor. This brought me to my knees confessing my wrong doings and for it was not God that had forsaking, me but I had forsaking God and Jesus. They were with me all along but I could not hear their voices so they express themselves through others making sure I did not miss the message.
God is always in listening distance for all who chose to listen, whether you can physically hear or not. Like when Heather confesses hers sins, and I ask Jesus and God to forgive me for my sins, I was empowered with an illuminating feeling I felt in the years prior to this last year. I realized that it’s was not that we need something concrete, however some of the things I mention are concrete things, but to be a better listener and to know, no matter what that Jesus and God will always be with us. Even in the darkest hour, we just have to listen to the loving gentle voice that will guide us in the right direction.
It is stated in "The Message", John10:1-28: Jesus will call his sheep by name, and will lead them out. Anyone who enters the gate through him will be cared for—have free will to come and go and find pasture. Through Jesus and God, all things are possible.
Dear Lord, help us to hear you calling our own name. Even in the darkest of hours. Please continue to strengthen and guide us into your arms away from all evil. Lets us live our lives as you would want us too. Thank you Lord, father in heaven, for all you have given us and yet to come. Amen
Deborah Chesney Jacobs
Peaceful2002dove@verizon.net
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