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Day Eleven
A dear friend of ours tells the story of how her nephew was trick-or-treating one year dressed up as Tigger from the Winnie the Pooh cartoons. He and his mom were making their way to houses in the San Fernando Valley near Los Angeles, and when they stopped at one home the kind, older woman who greeted them at the door complimented the young man on his costume. Then she asked a question:
“Would you like to meet Tigger?”
What our friend’s nephew and his mom wouldn’t have known is that this was the house of Paul Winchell, the original voice of Tigger in the Walt Disney films. His wife called for him to come to the door, and before long our young would-be Tigger was standing in the presence of the real deal.
Here’s the thing, though—at first, he wouldn’t have known that he was. As far as he was concerned, there was just a nice older man standing in the doorway. Until that nice older man opened his mouth and spoke, and then there was no mistaking—this was Tigger.
Some voices are simply unmistakable, even if they’re not famous. No doubt we all have people who, when they phone, need only say, “Hello” and we know exactly who it is (even without caller id). Usually our familiarity with a voice has less to do with celebrity than it does with familiarity and intimacy. Some voices…we just know.
In the tenth chapter of John, while speaking about himself as the Good Shepherd, Jesus talks about knowing his voice:
“The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice.”—John 10:2-4 (NIV)
Some voices you just know. I think about what it means to know Jesus’ voice when I read about Mary’s encounter with the risen Christ in the garden, shortly after the resurrection. She engages him in conversation and at first doesn’t realize who it is. But then everything changes:
“He asked her, ‘Woman, why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?’
Thinking he was the gardener, she said, ‘Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him.’
Jesus said to her, ‘Mary.’
She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, Rabboni! (which means “Teacher”).”—John 20:15-16 (NIV)
When Jesus speaks Mary’s name, it had to sound so familiar, so comforting, and so miraculous. The voice she thought had been forever silenced was now speaking her name tenderly, and the truth of what has taken place dawns on her.
She knows that voice. It is alive and present. It’s her teacher, her friend…and now her risen Savior.
There are lots of voices in this world that clamor for our attention. There are voices that entice us, confuse us, frustrate us, and overwhelm us. More than ever, in today’s world of 24/7 communication, we need to stop and cultivate the kind of intimacy with Jesus that Mary knew. He has given us the promise that, as his sheep, we will know his voice. But that assumes we’re listening for it.
We may be traveling from Easter to Pentecost on this particular journey, but let’s not always be so quick to leave the garden. Maybe today is a day the risen Christ is speaking your name, and inviting you to simply be with him and listen.
I heard the voice of Jesus say,
“Behold, I freely give
The living water: thirsty one,
Stoop down, and drink, and live.”
Read the rest of the lyrics here.
Time of Reflection
For today’s time of reflection we are going to sit with some texts from Scripture that speak to the theme of listening to God’s voice.
—Before you read, ask God to meet you in this time of reflection, and to open your heart what he would reveal by the Holy Spirit.
—As you read, pay attention to the movement of your soul and offer to God your response to his word.
—After you read, sit in silence and simply listen.
1 Samuel 3:1-10 (CSB)
The boy Samuel served the Lord in Eli’s presence. In those days the word of the Lord was rare and prophetic visions were not widespread.
One day Eli, whose eyesight was failing, was lying in his usual place. Before the lamp of God had gone out, Samuel was lying down in the temple of the Lord, where the ark of God was located.
Then the Lord called Samuel, and he answered, “Here I am.” He ran to Eli and said, “Here I am; you called me.”
“I didn’t call,” Eli replied. “Go back and lie down.” So he went and lay down.
Once again the Lord called, “Samuel!”
Samuel got up, went to Eli, and said, “Here I am; you called me.”
“I didn’t call, my son,” he replied. “Go back and lie down.”
Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord, because the word of the Lord had not yet been revealed to him.
Once again, for the third time, the Lord called Samuel. He got up, went to Eli, and said, “Here I am; you called me.”
Then Eli understood that the Lord was calling the boy.bHe told Samuel, “Go and lie down. If he calls you, say, ‘Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.’” So Samuel went and lay down in his place.
The Lord came, stood there, and called as before, “Samuel, Samuel!”
Samuel responded, “Speak, for your servant is listening.”
John 16:12-15 (NLT)
“There is so much more I want to tell you, but you can’t bear it now. When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own but will tell you what he has heard. He will tell you about the future. He will bring me glory by telling you whatever he receives from me. All that belongs to the Father is mine; this is why I said, ‘The Spirit will tell you whatever he receives from me.’”
Isaiah 55:1-3a (CEB)
All of you who are thirsty, come to the water!
Whoever has no money, come, buy food and eat!
Without money, at no cost, buy wine and milk!
Why spend money for what isn’t food,
and your earnings for what doesn’t satisfy?
Listen carefully to me and eat what is good;
enjoy the richest of feasts.
Listen and come to me;
listen, and you will live.