John 10:14 (NKJV) “I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own.”
My dog has a sharp ear. He stays in our fenced-in backyard and can’t even see the driveway out front. But somehow, he always knows when it’s one of us pulling in.
Whether it’s my car, my wife’s, or even my sister’s—he doesn’t bark. Now, if it’s someone else—UPS, Amazon, or a visitor—that’s when the barking kicks in.
Funny thing is, when it’s my sister’s car, he still gives a little bark… but it’s not the warning kind. It’s more like, “She brought her dog, and I’m ready to play!”
That dog knows the difference. He knows our cars, our people, even our reasons for pulling up.
It made me think about something Jesus said:
“I am the good shepherd. I know My sheep, and My sheep know Me.”
Just like that dog knows who belongs at our house, Jesus knows who belongs to Him. He knows our voice when we pray. He knows the difference between someone seeking Him and someone just going through the motions.
And He responds to us in just the right way—sometimes with peace, sometimes with strength, sometimes with correction. But always with love.
And here’s the part that gets me:
“I know My sheep… and am known by My own.”
That means we’re not just known—we’re also called to know Him.
We’re supposed to recognize His voice too. Not just in church. Not just through preachers. But in the quiet of the morning. In the middle of a tough day. In moments that feel small but end up being sacred.
The more time we spend with Jesus, the easier it gets to hear Him clearly. And the more clearly we hear Him, the more confidently we follow.
Father, thank You for knowing me. Help me know You more deeply. Teach me to hear Your voice above all the noise. And when You call, let me respond quickly—because I belong to You. Amen.