March 10
A stranger they will not follow, but they will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers." John 10:5
There is an old saying that ‘a stranger is just a friend we haven’t met yet’, and it applies to all of us, however with a very real concern for their safety, children today are cautioned about responding to a stranger’s actions or voice. At the same time, care must be taken to not completely erode their trust in humanity. For most, the protection of children far outweighs any erosion of trust. Our children (and grandchildren!) are taught by those in authority to run away from strangers as fast as they can, thus reinforcing this distrust in “strangers," but it has become the necessary norm today. Even when I was a child of five, my friend and I came within minutes of following someone with ominous intentions who offered us candy as we waited for our older siblings’ school bus to arrive in a remote area! How we ran to that bus as it arrived! Needless to say, each generation has its fears and reasons for caution with those we don't "know."
When our telephone rings and we hear the voice of a loved one on the other end, our response is usually ease and comfort in our happiness to hear from them! Eagerly we listen in anticipation of what they are about to share with us and our conversation becomes animated. On the other hand, unsolicited calls seem to create an instant feeling of uncertainty and distrust as our personal space has been intruded upon. They may be solicitations for one charity or another, lobbying for a political group, attempts to sell an unwanted service or item to us, or even a wrong number called. Quite often, especially during inopportune times of day, we feel infringed upon by these unknown voices and make an end to the intrusion, quite quickly! Then again, when we hear someone apologetically respond, we’re left feeling congenial toward that person on the other end, their tone and consideration changing our attitude toward them and enabling us to relate to them.
Do we recognize God’s voice as He speaks with us or has He become a stranger? Can we hear Him call to us, gently, tenderly nudging us closer to Him as He whispers our name, like any of our loved ones calling to
speak with us? Deep within we know that voice. . . His voice that has remained unchanged since the beginning of time, unchanged since before we were born, unchanged no matter what happens in our lives or in this world. Can we make time for Him or do we feel intruded upon by His persistence? Listen . . . listen. He patiently calls, never wanting to be a stranger to any of us.
God, we hear you calling us . . . eagerly we follow you!
Copyright© 2014 Kathleen A. Matson
A stranger they will not follow, but they will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers." John 10:5
There is an old saying that ‘a stranger is just a friend we haven’t met yet’, and it applies to all of us, however with a very real concern for their safety, children today are cautioned about responding to a stranger’s actions or voice. At the same time, care must be taken to not completely erode their trust in humanity. For most, the protection of children far outweighs any erosion of trust. Our children (and grandchildren!) are taught by those in authority to run away from strangers as fast as they can, thus reinforcing this distrust in “strangers," but it has become the necessary norm today. Even when I was a child of five, my friend and I came within minutes of following someone with ominous intentions who offered us candy as we waited for our older siblings’ school bus to arrive in a remote area! How we ran to that bus as it arrived! Needless to say, each generation has its fears and reasons for caution with those we don't "know."
When our telephone rings and we hear the voice of a loved one on the other end, our response is usually ease and comfort in our happiness to hear from them! Eagerly we listen in anticipation of what they are about to share with us and our conversation becomes animated. On the other hand, unsolicited calls seem to create an instant feeling of uncertainty and distrust as our personal space has been intruded upon. They may be solicitations for one charity or another, lobbying for a political group, attempts to sell an unwanted service or item to us, or even a wrong number called. Quite often, especially during inopportune times of day, we feel infringed upon by these unknown voices and make an end to the intrusion, quite quickly! Then again, when we hear someone apologetically respond, we’re left feeling congenial toward that person on the other end, their tone and consideration changing our attitude toward them and enabling us to relate to them.
Do we recognize God’s voice as He speaks with us or has He become a stranger? Can we hear Him call to us, gently, tenderly nudging us closer to Him as He whispers our name, like any of our loved ones calling to
speak with us? Deep within we know that voice. . . His voice that has remained unchanged since the beginning of time, unchanged since before we were born, unchanged no matter what happens in our lives or in this world. Can we make time for Him or do we feel intruded upon by His persistence? Listen . . . listen. He patiently calls, never wanting to be a stranger to any of us.
God, we hear you calling us . . . eagerly we follow you!
Copyright© 2014 Kathleen A. Matson