HOW WILL I KNOW?

How Will I Know?

by Patricia Day

How will I hear my mother's voice?
How will I know my mother’s voice?

Watching “Happy Feet”, the movie, recently, I was enamored by the little penguin who, when waiting for his mother to return from feeding, was told to listen for her voice.  His response was:

“But, father, how will I know her voice?”

Good question – especially when, on the horizon appear thousands of female penguins returning to their partners and babies.  It was essential that he recognize her call, in order to be fed; otherwise he would perish.  He was not to know that instinct would kick in and, yes, he would recognize her voice.

Non-Christians are often skeptical, when hearing that Christians listen to God.

‘How do you know it’s God?’ they ask.  ‘It could be you listening to your own sub-conscious thinking’.

Well, yes it could, but the difference is that the voice invariably has advice that we had not thought of ourselves; or it is an idea that takes us by surprise when we have covered all the angles or options.  It is always wise, sound advice.  It is never negative or harmful and often saves us from disaster.

God tells us in His Word (the Bible):

“I told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in My Father’s name, they bear witness of Me. But you do not believe, because you are not of My sheep [my people], as I said to you.

My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand.

My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand” (John 10:25-29 NKJV). Emphasis is the author’s.

I love this analogy.  It is a clear expression of the doubt of not knowing the source of unseen power, also of not trusting that good old gut-feeling.  We always have to logic away anything we cannot understand.

To hear God’ voice is a very simple act of quietly listening and trusting, because what we hear feels right or good and, as in the case of the little penguin, it could be life-saving.

Prayer: 

Lord God, help us to quiet ourselves and listen to the whisper that we are often aware of, but choose to ignore.  In this New Year, let us choose to follow you and be led by Your voice, Your guidance, and let us be sheltered by Your protection.  Amen.

Patricia Day

Patricia Day

Writing has always been a passion of Patricia. She can express myself better in writing, than verbally.  She enjoys creating short stories and devotionals. Her favourite past-times: family-time; gardening; reading; walking and listening to good music. Married.  Mother of two sons; step-Mom to a son & daughter and Nana to ten.

Look for her devotionals at Pepe Prays and her blog at Patters Matters.

Patricia has recently completed her first novel – Eleanor, A Stolen Childhood – which is in the process of publication.  Her second novel, Priscilla – Hidden in the Shadows is now being written.

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1 comment

  1. Hi Patricia; I loved reading your devotional. I know when you say that you can express yourself better in writing, than verbally. God bless you.

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