Friday, February 20, 2015

The Stranger

John 10 says more about the shepherd and the sheep…

When he has driven out all his own, he walks ahead of them, and the sheep follow him, because they recognize his voice. But they will not follow a stranger; they will run away from him, because they do not recognize the voice of strangers.

How do your kids recognize strangers when they’re little?  We tell them not to talk to strangers and not to get in the car with a stranger, but how do they know the person is a stranger?

They don’t recognize their face, they don’t recognize their voice, and they realize the person doesn’t belong to their family.

However, if a kid isn’t received, loved, cared for, by a loving family and a present mother, dad, and siblings, then they won’t discern the difference between family and strangers.

This is why it’s SO important to stay close to Jesus, stay in his Word, walk with others who love him and love others, and to obey his voice. 

It’s then and only then that when the voice of a stranger (i.e. our own selfish thoughts, or the voice of another inviting us into trouble), that we will then run away and turn away from that voice.

Your kids recognize strangers because they know your face well.

How well do you know the face of Jesus?  It’s written about in his Word, and it’s delightful to see it when you realize his great love for you.

And then you can rest in the fact that anything strange, foreboding, or dangerous will look so different that you will know…and you’ll look in HIS eyes and follow Him…instead of disappearing into dark…




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