And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. – Luke 2:8 (NIV)
Another interesting group of people in the Christmas story were the shepherds. Can you imagine being hard at work, watching sheep, maybe getting ready to sleep for the night and then having angels show up and talk to you?
These shepherds undoubtedly were taken off guard. That night probably had started off like any other night, and yet ended in such a dramatic and glorious way. Angels appeared to them and told them that Jesus had been born.
After hearing and seeing the angels, the shepherds had a choice to make. They could have thought, man, I can’t really leave my sheep here. I’m in charge of watching and taking care of them. Who knows what might happen to them if I simply leave. And they might have talked themselves out of being a part of the Christmas story. They could have found some really good reasons not to leave their sheep and to simply ignore the fact that the lamb of God had been born.
Instead, they listened to the angels and obeyed. They went looking earnestly for Jesus.
How about you? How do you respond when God asks you to do something? Do you find all the reasons why it doesn’t make sense to follow God? Or think that following God is something you’ll do when you’re older?
What would happen if you decided to instantly obey God’s leading and do what He is prompting you to do? How would your world be changed?
Challenge yourself to obey right away when God speaks to you. Don’t find reasons why you can’t do it. Instead, obey, and know that God will take care of you.
Today’s Truth: Obey, knowing God will take care of you.
