December 30 Stop the Work-Go Do It

Luke 2:15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”

IN 2000 I had the opportunity to travel to Baltimore on business. The night I arrived was the night the Baltimore Ravens won Super Bowl XXXV. Two days later, the city had a parade for the Ravens to celebrate their victory. The parade route was on street in front of the building where I was working. I was a football fan to some extent. This was a great opportunity to experience a moment of football history - pretty cool, huh? Actually I didn’t see it. I was too busy working, and didn’t even stick my head out the door. I have no idea what happened.

     Suppose the angels had “gone into heaven” (By the way, don’t you just love that phrase? Think about it. You will find it powerful.) and the shepherds kept working? What if they did not “go to Bethlehem and see”? Of course, they would have missed the turning point of history. They would have missed Jesus. God didn’t need the shepherds to go see his Son. He invited them to go to experience the Savior come down to earth. He invited the shepherds into his presence.
     That’s Scripture’s purpose, isn’t it? God invites. You respond. Go or not go? Go in faith or stay with the sheep? Focus on Jesus or focus on yourself? What will you do? God’s messenger today is the Holy Spirit. He seldom comes to literally shine into our dark nights, but he always comes to spiritually shine onto us Jesus, “the light of the world” (John 8:12) on us.
     Thank God for his light, too we know as the Holy Bible. Thank God for his light in friends who invite you to a Bible study. Thank God for his light from people who pray for you. Turn to the light. Trust the light. Experience the light. Stop what you think is important. Go see how God will bless you.

Prayer: Thank you for your light, Jesus. Thank you for your victory over sin. Thank you for calling me to the parade of life everlasting. Teach me to go and see how much you love me. In your name I pray, amen.