And we know that God works all things together for the good of those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose. – Romans 8:28
What Does It Mean to Be Called?
In John 10:27, Jesus says, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.” With these words, He describes Himself as the Good Shepherd who calls and leads His flock. Each day, a shepherd would guide the sheep in and out of the gate, along paths, and into safe pastures. The sheep followed because they recognized the shepherd’s voice and trusted his care. They would not follow the voice of a stranger.
Learning to Recognize the Voice of Jesus
In the same way, we are called to grow familiar with the voice of Jesus. We learn to recognize His voice through prayer, by spending time in God’s Word, and by walking daily in His presence. As we come to know Him more deeply, His voice becomes clear to us, and we can follow with confidence. He calls to us, and we respond because we know the sound of His love and truth.
Following Even When the Path Is Hard
There will be times when the way forward seems uncertain. The path may be steep or rocky, and dangers may surround us like wolves in the wilderness. Yet even in those moments, we can trust the Shepherd who goes before us. He leads the way, protects His flock, and never leaves us alone. His voice continues to guide and encourage us because His love is constant.
The Call to Simply Follow
As we listen and respond to Jesus, we discover that His call is not complicated. He asks us to simply follow Him. With trust in His guidance and assurance of His care, we can walk the path He places before us, knowing that He is always near. To be called is to be known by the Shepherd, to hear His voice, and to follow wherever He leads.