Abide | Part 5 of 8
Abide: Learning to Live in Christ | Part 5 of 8
About this series
For years, I’ve read phrases like “abide in Me,” “remain in Christ,” and “in Him.” I believed them, but if I’m honest, I wasn’t always sure what they looked like on an ordinary Tuesday. This series isn’t written by someone who’s mastered abiding. It’s written by a fellow traveler who has become convinced that Jesus offers something deeper than simply trying harder. Together, let’s open God’s Word and discover what it really means to live in Christ.
Scripture: John 10:1-16, 27
One of the questions I’ve wrestled with over the years is, “How do I know when God is leading me?” I’ve prayed for direction about work, family decisions, ministry opportunities, and countless everyday situations. Sometimes I wished God would simply write the answer across the sky and remove all doubt.
But Jesus paints a different picture in John 10.
He describes Himself as the Good Shepherd and says, “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.” That’s a comforting promise, but it also raises an honest question: What does it mean to hear His voice?
For a long time, I thought the answer was finding some unmistakable feeling or waiting for a dramatic moment of clarity. While God is certainly capable of getting our attention in extraordinary ways, I’ve come to believe that He most often leads us through an ongoing relationship with Him.
Think about a shepherd and his sheep. Sheep don’t recognize the shepherd’s voice because they attended a class or memorized a technique. They recognize his voice because they’ve spent time with him. Day after day, they learn to trust him. They discover that his voice leads to safety, provision, and life.
Isn’t that true of our relationship with Jesus as well?
The more time I spend in God’s Word, the more familiar I become with His heart. The more I pray, the more I learn to bring my concerns to Him before rushing ahead with my own plans. The more I walk with Him, the easier it becomes to recognize when my thoughts are pulling me away from His character instead of toward it.
I’ve noticed that God’s leading is often quieter than I expect. It may come as a Scripture that keeps coming to mind, a growing conviction that aligns with His Word, or a gentle reminder to choose humility, forgiveness, or patience when my natural instinct is to do the opposite. Those moments aren’t dramatic, but they are deeply personal.
That’s one of the beautiful things about abiding. As we remain close to Jesus, we begin to recognize the Shepherd’s voice—not because we’ve mastered some spiritual formula, but because we’re getting to know Him better.
I’m still learning that. There are days when I wish His direction felt more obvious. But I’m discovering that my confidence doesn’t come from always knowing the next step. It comes from knowing the One who is leading me. And that’s enough.
Sit With This
When you’re facing a decision, where do you turn first? Do you immediately begin analyzing every possible outcome, or do you first spend time with the Shepherd, trusting that the One who knows you is faithful to lead you?
Prayer
Jesus, thank You for being my Good Shepherd. Help me know Your voice by knowing You more deeply. As I spend time in Your Word and walk with You each day, teach me to trust Your leading, even when I can’t see the entire path ahead. Amen.
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