SIGNS THAT MAKE YOU WONDER

BY PASTOR NATE RUCKER

“Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid.” — Luke 2:8-9 (NKJV)

Strategic Planning Meeting. What would be the most effective way to announce a coming king? Perhaps, telling the most influential speakers. Disseminating the information from the top, down. Utilizing a reliable source would certainly get the job done. But as we gaze at the text, “Word of Mouth” or better yet, (what I like to call) “Signs that Make You Wonder” would be the Lord’s chosen journalism effort.

The very fact that the shepherds were told “in the same region” that Jesus was born, seems sorta like a courtesy call. It was the goal of the Lord to put the entire city on notice. But rather than be announced in broad daylight, the visitation was draped in black of night - for no one important to see. One might observe that the Lord really succeeded when it came to convincing the shepherds, but the reason why shepherds were chosen is the more potent lesson. “You can not please the Lord without faith” (Hebrews 11:6).

An encounter with the Lord at times can seem elusive, but it is often in the quiet when we hear our answer. It is when we are away from people, where we can learn and know for ourselves. This is why Jesus charges us in Matthew 6:6 (ESV), “But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.” 

My challenge for you today is to begin to have faith to seek the Lord in the quiet places of your life. When it seems you are the most busy, take ten seconds to be still and know He is God. See yourself as the shepherd, in that no matter how the world views your status, the Lord sees you as a worthy vessel to spread His good news, the Gospel.

Prayer: God, give me grace to find you in the secret place. Let the knowledge of who You are, effortlessly be upon my lips for all my days.