Let's Go

Can you imagine the reaction of the shepherds? They had been tending to their flocks at night, and out of nowhere, the darkness erupted into light as God announced the arrival of His Son. The first emotion we see from the shepherds was one of fear. Who could blame them? They had no idea what to make out of this moment, and they really had no words to say. Their adrenaline must have been at an all-time high, and their hearts had to beating as quickly as ever.

Somewhere along the line, though, that fear turned into awe, wonder, and amazement. Again, who can blame them? They hear this amazing news, followed by a chorus of angels, praising God with a song that nobody had ever heard. The heavens open, and you can only imagine the beauty of those voices and the harmonies that must have poured out. Once again, the shepherds must have been speechless.

Yet, they did not remain that way. They did not debate among themselves what it was that they had heard. They didn’t try to convince themselves that it was all a delusion or that their work in the fields was more of a priority than what these angels declared. They did not try to reason their way out of the situation or decide they were too much of an outcast to explore Bethlehem, looking for some child.

They simply looked at each other and left immediately.

How often do we get caught up in debates, rationalizations, and excuses, refusing to listen to what the Lord is plainly telling us. We might say that we just need more time for preparation or processing. We tell ourselves that we have too many responsibilities or we worry that we will not be able to do what we have been called to do. Afterall, what if we venture into Bethlehem, and we can never find this child? What do we say then? What would all these people think of us if we allowed our excitement to propel us into witness and it did not go the way we hope?

When we trap ourselves in a version of mental gymnastics, perhaps we need to follow the example of these amazing shepherds and listen to God’s voice and obey His direction.

Prayer

Father, thank You for breaking through the silence. Thank You for the ways in which You reveal to me Your will and Your activity. Would You help me to see the ways in which I have failed to follow the example of these shepherds to hear Your word and then to do what You say? Help me to be both a doer of Your Word as well as a hearer.

Please work in my heart to have the courage and strength to go when You tell me to go and to stay when he told me to stay. My life is in Your hands, and I ask that you provide me direction. I also asked that You fill me with the same level of excitement that these shepherds had the night ofJesus’s birth. Help me to sense the awe and wonder they felt and sense the urgency to join in with Your work, regardless of where You may take me.