Knowing what to do

We need to know what to do when we ‘don’t know what to do’. A nurse in charge of a busy ward in the middle of the night would have to know what to do in the event of an emergency which was something she was unable to deal with herself. She would have to know who to call and what immediate action to take while she was waiting for help.

There are times when we are faced with a situation or decision where we just don’t know what to do, but as Christians we have a guide and helper in the Holy Spirit who lives within us. If you love the Lord and have no strife, sin or un-forgiveness in your life and walk in constant communion with Him, you can expect to hear His voice. As we learn to hear that inner voice we will begin to recognise the Shepherd’s voice saying – walk this way or that way, or sometimes a simple direction from him.

In the Middle East the shepherds sometimes bring their flocks together for food or water. When it’s time for them to move on, you wonder how on earth they will they sort out their own flock from all the others. But the shepherd calls out to them, sometimes by name, and all his sheep leave the rest and follow him because they recognise his voice alone. We read in John 10:4, ‘And when he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them and the sheep follow Him, for they know his voice’.


O let me hear Thee speaking, in accents clear and still,
Above the storms of passion, the murmurs of self will.
O speak to reassure me, to chasten or control;
O speak to make me listen, Thou Guardian of my soul.
(John Ernest Bode)

Prayer: Dear Lord, Help me to learn to recognise Your gentle voice. Show me how to keep my hearing clear and my heart in tune with Yours. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.