Listening to a Southern Gospel CD, my ears perk up at the singing of ‘Jesus Pilots My Ship’.  The lyrics talk of wanting Jesus to take the lead as I follow close behind.  Here’s one phrase in that song –‘…I won’t ever drift so far from shore that I can’t hear what He has to say…’

‘I won’t ever drift…’  Really?  Not ever?  Wish I could say that, but I can’t.  I’ve floated far from shore with His voice muffled by laziness, stubbornness and pigheadedness.

An example?  When at Chicago’s Moody Bible Institute, a few friends commit to read our Bibles every day, completing it by year’s end.  Doesn’t seem like a big deal for Bible school students, does it?  But after a couple of days, less than a week, I poop out.  Such stick-to-itiveness!

Then something strange happens.  I’m lying on my dorm bed, wide awake, unable to move.  Paralyzed.  White smoke fills the room.  I hear an audible beastly, hellish laugh.  In a few seconds, it all clears.  I’ve never had anything like that happen before or after.  As if Satan gets his jollies when I fizzle out.  He wins the marbles as I wipe out.  I’ve drifted far from shore.  Can hardly hear Jesus.

Did anything get through my thick skull from that weird experience?  In time (not immediately, sad to say) I commit to daily Bible reading.  I’m still at it, more so than ever.  These days, staying closer to shore, hearing Him much clearer.

And you?  Drifting?  His voice stifled?  Jesus said, ‘…the sheep follow him, for they know his voice’ and ‘…they listen to my voice…’ (John 10: 4,16).

Time to dive daily into your Bible?  You’ll find yourself nearer shoreline, rarely out of range of His voice.  Exactly where you want to be.

Thank you, Jesus, for keeping us close by you, hearing your Word.  Amen.