Luke 2:1-20
We're getting a little preview of that part of the Christmas story that involves the shepherds with Luke 2:1-20. The shepherds are just going about their normal business when--BOOM--an angel appears. Naturally they're frightened, but they listen and then take immediate action ("went with haste" vs. 16). They find Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus and then verse 20 tells us that "the shepherds returned glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen. . ." Now put yourself in the place of those shepherds for a moment. This must have been an incredible, mind-blowing, remarkable (you choose the adjective) experience.
Opportunities and situations that are unsettling, frightening or just plain scary come up in the course of life. So how can we use and draw upon this passage and what we see from these shepherds when we find ourselves in one of these situations? Tami W.
Unsettling situations in my life that come to mind are: my divorce, being transferred to a different place and job, practically being homeless at one time, a foreclosure notice in the mail, cancer scare, death of my best friend, and 9-11 to name a few. My first reaction to each of these was fear and panic..perhaps what the shepherds felt when they saw the angels. I wasn't always as calm as the shepherds were after the initial shock nor did I say let's go see what has come to pass...instead I "freaked out" until I learned (and it took me a very long time) that God is in control. He allows things to happen to us to draw us closer to Him. With each "unsettling situation" my reactions became less fearful. I now acknowledge what has just taken place, pick myself up and move toward God...He still draws me near but with His grace I am able to meet Him as He is coming my way to comfort and guide me through it all and I know now that He requires it of me to tell others about what He has revealed to me and to give Him all the glory which He so rightly deserves. He is an awesome God! Nothing is impossible with God.
I can't imagine the shock they would have felt and I know my first reaction would have been fear. I am however, learning to not ask 'why' so much now as to ask 'what now God'. This retraining is not easy but it allows for more action to be released both on my part and God's. Next task is to be more proactive about sharing God's news and love....oh to be as motivated as the shepherds suddenly were! Thank you God for who you are and how you love me.
As Mary says, with God all things are possible and I truly believe it. Janyn, I do not thing there is anything wrong in asking "why". One day we will have an answer to that, what we have to be careful about is that we do not become obsessed with the "why" but instead cast our fears and our trust in God. Never allow anythig or anyone to get between us and our God. He is always there for us but not so humankind. God's Word is true and reliable so when in Hebrews 13:5 He says, "I will never leave thee nor forsake thee", believe it.
We will all have anxieties ad fears but cast our eyes on Him and talk to him as you would talk to a very good friend. it is a hard road to travel, but He will be right beside us. May He give us the strength, the support and guidance day by day. May He also protect and direct our path. May we all have a blessed weekend and let us continue to pray for each other.
For me it sharing God's love is easier than sharing God's word. I want share the Good News with others but it just seems like everyone around me is so hard hearted to hearing the news. It's frustrating for me because some of these are family members who need to be saved and the scarier part is that they believe they are. I feel it is much easier to love and care for others as the Lord would have me do but when you mention the Bible, people seem to just be closed off.
What I am impressed with regarding these shepherds is that they quickly go and do what God told them to do. Many times when we are in scary situations God has given us directions as to how to handle it and how to proceed but we wait or we waver and we don't do what God says. It was not easy for the shepherds to go to Bethlehem but they did it. They set aside their fear and obeyed God. When we do that, we get to see the reason for the shocking moment or situation.
Fear of the unknown, it is then we TRUST in the Lord, knowing that in our many trials we endure for God's GRACE & POWER is with us as we go forth GLORIFYING and PRAISING God, knowing God IS IN CONTROL. O how God LOVES you and me. FAITH-- HOPE. Sing, JOY to the world the Lord has come. Let our hearts prepare room for Him.