Straight for that Voice
I was speaking at a church in the new area where
our ministry has moved, and in the process, I was introducing some of
our staff and our family. I started with my wife - after all, none of
the children would have been possible without her. And then I was
starting to introduce our daughter and son-in-law and our family
treasure, 18-month old grandson Jordan. I saw them standing at the back
of the church. Now, while I was talking about them, I suddenly noticed
a little head bobbing along past the tops of the pews, and I thought I
recognized those curls.
It quickly became apparent to me - and then to
everyone in the church - that little Jordan was on his way to where his
grandfather was. Oh, that big choir up in front...they didn't phase
him. All those big people in the pews...they didn't phase him. His
father's pursuit didn't phase him. He marched up that aisle like a man
on a mission . . . climbed laboriously up the three steps to the
platform . . . and he walked right up to the pulpit. I picked him up,
whispered that I love him, and he was satisfied. Then - and only then -
was he willing to go with his Daddy back to where they were. Later my
daughter said, "Dad, from the time he heard your voice, there was no
stopping him. Getting to that voice was all that mattered!"
Well, I'm Ron Hutchcraft, and I want to have A Word With You today about STRAIGHT FOR THAT VOICE.
Now, there were lots of people in that sanctuary
right then - but only one as far as Jordan was concerned. He heard my
voice - and he was totally focused on being where I was. That's how I
want to be with the Lord I say I'm following. It's how He wants all of
us to be.
Jesus models this magnificent obsession in our
word for today from the Word of God in John 8:28-29. He says, "...I do
nothing on My own but speak just what the Father has taught Me . . .
the One who sent Me is with Me . . . for I always do what pleases Him."
See, there was just one voice that mattered to Jesus, one person's
approval - His Father's. There was never a decision about "which voice
should I listen to? Who should I make happy?" The only question was -
"What's my Father saying? What does my Father want?" That settled it.
The Apostle Paul was a man who went straight for
one voice - and He showed us the way to simplify and clarify thousands
of daily choices we make. In Galatians 1:10, Paul says, "Am I now
trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please
men?" Paul's saying, "There's a lot of people in this room - but only
one Voice I care about." Listen to his bottom line: "If I were still
trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ." He knew it
was a choice - please Jesus or please people. It still is a choice.
I saw in my grandson that morning in church a
determination to respond to one voice and only one. He walked by all
kinds of people . . . he walked toward things that otherwise would have
probably intimidated him - because he wanted to be wherever that Voice
was. That is a beautiful picture of what it means to belong to Jesus
Christ . . . to really be a follower of Jesus. All that matters to you
is what He's saying . . . where He's going . . . what will make Him
happy. Once you know that, you know what to do, and you know where to
go.
Has someone else's voice become more important to
you than your Savior's voice? Has someone else's approval crowded out
His? Has the crowd distracted you or kept you from being where His
Voice is? Remember what your Shepherd said: "My sheep listen to My
voice . . . and they follow Me" (John 10:27).
Sound like the type of relationship you've been
looking for? Find out more about how this relationship with God can be
Yours for Life! If you're not sure you belong to Jesus Christ, and
you'd like to make sure, check out YOURS FOR LIFE at: http://www.hutchcra ft.com/yours/
[Copyright © Ron Hutchcraft Ministries, Inc.
Permission to reproduce this material is automatically granted on the
condition it will be used for non-commercial purposes, will not be
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Gospel.]