I was thinking about cows the other day. You may wonder what brings a city slicker to think about cows, out in the suburbs in the middle of the afternoon. It wasn’t anything spiritual, at first. I was daydreaming about one of the things I enjoyed most as a child – spending a few weeks during the summer on my uncle’s farm in North Dakota. There were so many things to do on the farm – taking care of the animals, driving the tractor, exploring, shooting gophers. I even enjoyed the hard work. One of my favorite images was the night sky. On a clear night, away from the city lights, the heavens truly declared the glory of God.
My uncle had dairy cows, usually 10 to 20, that had to be milked by hand a couple of times a day. Bright and early every morning, we would go out to the back step and my aunt would put her hands to her mouth and yell at the top of her lungs, “Come Boss.” Out in the pasture, 100 yards away, the cows would lift their heads and look in our direction. Then they would turn and start walking towards the barn. We would, too, to let them in.
One morning, I thought that I would call the cows myself. I quickly finished breakfast, so I could get out to the back step before my aunt. Out on the step, I stood up straight, raised my hands to my mouth, and yelled as loud as I could, “Come Boss!” (You can’t yell like that in town.) Out in the pasture, maybe one cow raised her head but immediately returned to munching on the grass. I yelled again. This time there was no reaction at all.
My aunt came out of the door and asked, “What are you doing?” I said I was calling the cows. She looked out at the pasture and laughed, then yelled for the cows herself. They responded immediately. I asked her, “Why didn’t they come for me? I yelled the same as you did!” My aunt said, “They don’t recognize your voice. They know the sound of my voice, because they listen for me every day.”
The reminiscence called to mind a similar story from Jesus. Jesus said that his sheep would “know his voice and follow him” (John 10:5,6). If Christ returned today and called, would I recognize his voice? I believe that I would. I am as smart as a cow, anyway. I listen for my Master’s voice every day. I expect you do as well.
While you are listening for him today, please thank him for meeting the needs of our missionaries and ask him to continue. Ask him also to help us be good stewards during these times of short allowances.