On
La Gomera, one of the smallest of the Canary Islands, a language that sounds
like a bird song is being revived. In a land of deep valleys and steep ravines,
schoolchildren and tourists are learning how whistling was once used to
communicate for distances up to 2 miles. One goat herder who is using this
ancient language once again to communicate with his flock said, “They recognize
my whistle as they recognize my voice.”
The
practice of whistling also shows up in the Bible, where God is described as a
shepherd whistling for His sheep. This image could be what the prophet had in
mind when he described how God will one day whistle to bring a wandering and
scattered people back to Himself (Zech. 10:8).
Many
years later Jesus said, “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they
follow Me” (John 10:27). That may be the whistle of a shepherd. Sheep don’t understand
words, but they know the sound that signals the shepherd’s presence.
Misleading
voices and distracting noises still compete for our attention (cf. Zech. 10:2).
Yet God has ways of signaling us, even without words. By events that can be
alarming or encouraging, He reminds us of His guiding, protecting, and
reassuring presence.
The
call of God can always be heard. (RBC)
