In the Middle of Chaos

How many hours a day do you listen to the news? I read a story this week about an elderly man who grew agitated and anxious after watching the news. To him, his world was falling apart. As I began to think about this, it began to make sense. Wars are happening in several parts of our world. There are court cases going on, and it seems like drug usage is increasing. College campuses are in turmoil, and crimes continue to occur. The elderly man has a point.

What we listen to matters deeply. In the encounter with Pontius Pilate, Pilate summoned Jesus and asked Him about the criminal charges brought against Him by the Jewish religious leaders. Pilate asked Jesus, “Are you the king of the Jews?” (John 18:33) Jesus answered Pilate with a stunning question: “Is this your own idea…or did others talk to you about me?” (v. 34)

The same question tests us. In a world of panic, are we listening to chaos or to Christ? Jesus said, “My sheep listen to my voice. I know them, and they follow me.” (10:27) Jesus was talking to doubting religious leaders. Jesus uses the example of a good shepherd, declaring, “His sheep follow him because they know his voice.” In verses 4 and 5, Jesus says, “His sheep will never follow a stranger because they do not recognize a stranger’s voice.”

Jesus wants us to hear Him above all else. When we become anxious about the chaos of the world, may we listen to Christ and find His peace.

Prayer – God, we live in a noisy world. When we feel like we are living in the middle of chaos, we need to hear Your voice. Speak to us, so may we live in thy peace. Amen.

John 10:27 – “My sheep listen to my voice.”

By the Rev. Tommy Herndon
Images: John Middelkoop, Jeffery Erhunse & Vahe Ohanian, courtesy of Unsplash