Do you hear His voice?

What benefits does a sheep receive from a shepherd? A shepherd is able to protect and care for the sheep. The shepherd feeds them, clean them and keeps them from harm. The shepherd keeps them from wandering away, from danger. 
 


Yet sheep that listen to the shepherd gets the benefits of the relationship. Sheep that ignore the shepherd, fails to taste the benefits. For how can the shepherd help the sheep if the sheep keeps ignoring or running away from the shepherd? 


Many want the blessings, but not the Blesser. Many want the benefits but not the relationship. Unfortunately, it does not work like that. The benefits and blessings come as a result of the relationship. It cannot be provided separate from the relationship. It is like a man saying to a woman, “I am marrying you just to get all the benefits of a wife. But I have no desire to have a real relationship with you.” How will that ever work? 
 Where is your relationship with God today? Are you His sheep today? Do you hear His voice?

John 10:27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.