His life walking with, talking to, feeding, and healing young
and old people, is the Jesus who talks to me.
I have a personal, conversational relationship with the same
Jesus who hung out with fringe people, working-class people,
and nonreligious people.
In fact, I picture myself “on the road” with Jesus visiting
with all kinds of people in a variety of locations. I travel with
Him and talk to others about Him. And He’s always talking to
me. I hear Him trying to get my attention in retail locations
where I tend to lose my patience while standing in long lines, in
the car when I’m driving a bit too fast, around my home when
I’m tempted to procrastinate, in airports when I’m anxious, at
the office when I’m concentrating—we’re companions; we’re
together.
I like to think of myself as one of Jesus’ disciples—someone
who is very interested in what He has to say. In fact, I often
hear Jesus talk to me through verses I’ve memorized—they’re
His words recorded in the Gospels—Matthew, Mark, Luke, and
John. For example, I love when Jesus whispers to me,
reminding me not to let my heart be troubled and not to be
afraid (John 14:27). He encourages me to keep asking Him for
things, when others tell me to stop asking (Matthew 7:7–8),
and He challenges me to believe that I will receive whatever I
ask for in prayer (Matthew 21:22).
Jesus’ voice, His ideas, and His counsel are uniquely
different from any other. His voice is both thought-provoking
and physically motivating—it moves me to be, to do, to go,
and even to attempt the impossible for Him. I find that He
doesn’t ask me to meet the common standards but to exceed
them. And I’m always encouraged by His voice—even when