Stop. Then Go!

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 the 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. But the truth is, I didn’t stop my work to go see it. I was too busy working, and I didn’t even stick my head out the door. I have no idea what happened.
   Suppose the angels had “gone into heaven” 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 commanded them to go, so they would experience the Savior come down to earth. And then they could have the privilege to be the first people to announce the Savior come. God’s commands are one way he invites us into his presence. Obeying them often requires stopping what we plan to do, so we can go to do God’s will. God’s commands point us to his character. When we do not “go” in his commands, we will miss knowing him more completely.
   That’s Scripture’s purpose, isn’t it? God commands us to know him. You respond one way or another, to go or not go. Do you go in faith or stay with the sheep? Do you prefer to focus on your own will or to go see your Savior? What will you do?
   God’s messenger today is the Holy Spirit. He comes from heaven to reveal Jesus to you. Unlike the angels that night, he does not literally shine into your dark nights. But he always comes to spiritually open our eyes to God’s glory. He is the light of heaven who points us to the Son, Jesus.
   Thank God for his light, too, in friends who invite you to a Bible study. Thank God for his light shining from people who pray for you. Turn to the light. Trust the light. Know God’s commands. Stop what you are doing that prevent you from obeying his directives. Then go, do and know in your heart God’s will for you.
   Go see God’s victory parade. He has won the battle for you.
 
Prayer: Thank you, Father, Son and Spirit for your victory over sin. Thank you for commanding me to the parade of life everlasting. Teach me to go, so I will see how much you love me. In your name I pray, amen.