Shepherds

And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger. Luke 2:16

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Ever wonder why all of heaven decided to announce the greatly anticipated Savior’s birth to lowly shepherds?

Shepherds were simple.

Lower than low.

They brought the lamb to the high priest for the sacrifice.

Shepherds served others.

They were usually uneducated, considered almost nothing.

Almost worthless.

Unclean.

So why did all of heaven revel this glorious announcement to shepherds?

Why not instead, go straight to the top?

Can’t you imagine the high priests wanting to know, too?

To witness the wonder?

After all, they were looking.

Weren’t they?

Maybe they would have missed it.

The birth of the Savior.

Maybe their noses were so bent in one direction, they would have missed it had they been on that hill with the shepherds,

Or reclining at their table with themselves,

Or conducting their nightly old testament reading,

Or wherever they were when the angels appeared to the shepherds.

Maybe they would have missed it no matter what they were finding themselves doing at that very moment.

Maybe that’s one reason God decided to reveal Himself to the shepherds first.

Humble shepherds, who were ready to receive what God had planned.

I’m guessing the high priests knew what God was planning.

They knew what to look for, because they were full of knowledge.

And themselves.

But since they knew what God was planning, they missed it.

They are still waiting.

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Are you?

Are you still waiting for God to move in your life?

Maybe He already has and is.

And if you blink, you might miss it.

Don’t be like the high priests who placed God into a box and refused to embrace His son.

Imitate the shepherds instead, who simply waited, trusted, and believed.

God wants all of you.

Give yourself to Him and watch Him move in ways you have only dreamed.

Are you ready to receive what God has for you?

Just like the shepherds?

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Photos by Jaka Škrlep on Unsplash 

Photo by Priscilla Du Preez on Unsplash

Part of His Plan

For I command you today to love the Lord your God, to walk in obedience to Him, and to keep His commands, decrees, and laws; then you will live and increase, and the Lord your God will bless you in the land you are entering to possess. Deuteronomy 30:16

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God uses us.

Little old us.

Almighty God wants to use us for His work of bringing everyone into abundant life.

To salvation through His Son.

Through us.

We are part of His plan for the salvation of the world.

The world He created.

We are witnesses of His goodness, mercy, and grace.

When people are hurting or confused, we are called to encourage them, offering hope.

God can show Himself however He sees fit.

But He is a personal God, touching people in the details of their lives.

We are those details.

We are the hands and feet of Jesus.

Drip onto others the fragrance of God.

His living water will flow freely from you to them, forever transforming their lives.

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