Whose Voice Do You Hear?

Today I bought a new book. The name of it is My Heart Cry, by Anne Graham Lotz. I have never read any of her books or even heard her speak. I must say that the only thing that I have known about her until today is that she is the daughter of Billy Graham. What attracted me to the book really and honestly was that it was $1.99. What made me buy it was the subtitle, Longing for more of Jesus.

That is my hearts cry right now, to have more of Jesus. I want to know that He is right here with me at all times, even when I don't feel Him. I want to be able to know His voice whether He is speaking through His Word (The Bible), through another person, or through circumstances in my life. I want to have the passion for Jesus to do whatever He asks even if it is not the popular view or even makes sense to me. Most of all I want Him to be top priority in my life. I have to then ask myself, "If I want this then why is it not so? Who is stopping this from happening?" Me of course.

How many of us can say that we want something so bad that we can taste it and yet we do anything we can to avoid realizing our goal. It happens all the time because we are afraid of the outcome. I know that I want so much to have such an intimate relationship with Christ that it hurt inside and yet I avoid that relationship because I am afraid of the cost that it will require. What will I have to give up in order to have this relationship? Who will think that I am a fanatic? Or who may be offended that I seek Christ over them? The question could go on but the big question is who or what am I afraid to give up more then I am afraid of giving up Christ?

In John 10:27 Jesus say, "My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me." Now how would a sheep now their shepherds voice unless somehow the shepherd has built a relationship with that sheep in someway. With real sheep, they don't have a choice, their shepherd builds that relationship with them and teaches them to know only his voice. With us, we have to be willing to learn Jesus' voice. I need to be willing to set aside time everyday to read His Word and pray and listen. I need to learn to seek out His voice so that when others come claiming that they are acting or speaking in His behalf, I can hear if His voice is really in their words, and if I'm not sure, I need to be willing to turn back to His Word to know for sure.

I know that God speaks personally to us everyday, but am I willing to know His voice more intimately so that I can hear Him when He does speak? That is really what this journey in life is all about isn't it? To long for Jesus, turn to Him, seek Him, and know His voice intimately. Without this, life is aimless and without purpose.

So... I am going to pursue that longing for more of Jesus. I want to know Him intimately even if I offend some, am labeled a fanatic, or have to give up something that I enjoying doing. I pray that everyone that reads this will do the same.