Our Daily Bread: Remembering 9/11Exemplo

“Head Toward My Voice!”

After he has gathered his own flock, he walks ahead of them, and they follow him because they know his voice. -John 10:4

When Flight 77 slammed into the Pentagon on that ill-fated Tuesday in September 2001, many inside the facility were trapped by a cloud of thick, blinding smoke. Police officer Isaac Hoopi ran into the blackness, searching for survivors, and heard people calling for help. He began shouting back, over and over: “Head toward my voice! Head toward my voice!”

Six people, who had lost all sense of direction in a smoke-filled hallway, heard the officer’s shouts and followed. Hoopi’s voice led them out of the building to safety.

“Head toward My voice!” That’s also the invitation of Jesus to each of us when we’re in danger or when we’ve lost our way. Jesus described the true spiritual shepherd of the sheep as one who “calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. After he has gathered his own flock, he walks ahead of them, and they follow him because they know his voice” (John 10:3–4). 

Are we listening for Jesus’ voice? When we’re in difficult circumstances, are we walking toward Him instead of groping in the dark?

Jesus is “the good shepherd” (v. 11). Whatever our need for guidance or protection, He calls us to heed His voice and follow Him.

Loving Shepherd, please meet with me today. Cause my heart to be attentive to what You have to say to me.

David C. McCasland