Tuesday’s Devotion: That Special Ring

John 10:27 My sheep respond to my voice, and I know who they are. They follow me, and I give them eternal life.

I’m at the nail salon. Someone’s cell phone rings and three other people reach for their phones.  One woman says, “I have the same ring.”  We reach for our phones because we know the sound of their ring.  Some people in my contact list have their own unique ringtone.  When these friends or family members call, I make every effort to answer immediately.  Their calls are a priority.  Jesus uses the metaphor of the Good Shepherd and his sheep.  He says the sheep knows the sound of his voice and respond to it.  He says they will not follow the voice of a stranger.  Perhaps that’s how we know which flock we are in.  Whose voice holds the strongest attraction for us? Only one shepherd can offer eternal life. I hope I never miss that call!

Gracious God, blessed are those who hear your call.  We confess that sometimes we get distracted by other rings.  Forgive us our inattention and keep drawing us towards you. We ask in the name of your son, Jesus Christ. Amen.

Tuesday’s Devotion: Scrambled Words and Selective Hearing

John 8:43  Why is my language not clear to you? Because you are unable to hear what I say.

At our Jingle Jangle Community Carol Sing on Sunday Efrain Diaz led everyone in Feliz Navidad.  We did pretty good with the Spanish part.  On the other hand here is the version our five-year-old great niece Claudia sang to her mom.  “Feliz naughty dodd, from the bottom, Bon voyage!”  Claudia didn’t quite understand the real words.  She’s still developing her language skills.

Sometimes adults fail to communicate.  They don’t take time to listen to one another but  instead jump into the conversation interrupting each other.  While one talks, the other is formulating a response.  Sometimes we are unable to hear what the other is saying because we have preconceived ideas of their intent.  A genuine compliment is taken for an insult.  We let our expectations influence our interpretations of the words of others and sometimes the Word in scripture itself.  It’s probably impossible to be completely free of prejudices but to the extent we can, we need to try to listen intently to others.  We need to develop our love language skills.  Then maybe we can better live up to the admonitions in these scriptures:

Hebrews 12:14 Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord. 

Romans 12:18  If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.

 2 Corinthians 13:11 Finally, brothers and sisters, rejoice! Strive for full restoration, encourage one another, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you.

Holy God, we ask that you open our ears, eyes and hearts so that we may truly discern the meanings of other’s words.  Help us to understand their words and your Word.  Grant us wisdom and kindness of heart and speech.  We ask in Jesus’ name. Amen.