Tend Your Flock (Thought-ProvokingThursday)
Every year when I read the Christmas story, I try to picture what it would have been like to have experienced it first hand. What if I were Mary? Would I have responded with such faith-filled obedience to God’s call? I can’t imagine how emotionally spent Joseph must have felt by the time they arrived in Bethlehem. This couple persevered and sacrificed because they believed God could do the miraculous.
The main characters in this supernatural story are simple people. It’s hard to believe that God chose to announce the arrival of the Messiah to lonely shepherds on a dark night out in the middle of nowhere. You would think that the angels would appear in the town square or at the temple.
God never writes the story the way I would write it. He likes to create heroes out of the unlikeliest people.
Last night, as I read Luke 2, I tried to stand in the field with the shepherds. I envisioned the glory. I reveled in their joy. I imagined how they ran to Bethlehem in a frenzy.
I kneeled in their midst and worshiped the Babe.
And then, just like that, it was over. I mean, they didn’t kneel there forever. They had work to do. So, they returned to their flocks.
Yes, the shepherds shared the news with everyone on the way — they could not keep silent. But, they got back to business. They had sheep to tend.
During Advent, I’ve celebrated the Savior and rejoiced in Him. But, in a few days, the nativity set is going back in a box, and the twinkling lights will go dark.
Do you hear God’s message as clearly as I do?
Tend your flock, Shepherd Sister.
Will I remember to praise God for all I have seen and heard as I go about my daily grind? Will I tend my flock with joy? Will I share His story with others out in the dark fields of life?
Lord, help me tend my flock with passion for You.
Something to think about….
Lyli – This is thought provoking for sure! And the pun was not intended 🙂 I LOVE this post! Thank you, thank you for exhorting us all to tend to our flocks in the days ahead. I am most grateful to have read this today.
Blessings,
Joanne
Thanks for the encouragement, Joanne. After I wrote this post, I read my One-Year Bible reading for Friday, and of course, it was about apathetic shepherds. God obviously wants me to hear this message because he keeps bringing it to my attention…
This is what I need to hear the day after Christmas–tend my flock, life goes on. It seems so appealing to stay in the lazy day of Christmas, but yes, even the shepherds who witnessed baby Jesus himself couldn’t stay there. Thanks for the reminder, Lyli, of staying faithful to our everyday callings.
I love how you described it as “lazy days.” I have spent quite a bit of time this week on the couch in my jammies. Next week will be a different story….
Lyli, this is so beautiful of a thought, of a picture for my mind and heart. We do go on and remembering Who calls us in our day-to-day walk is Who we are to follow and share the Good News…with our own flock. Praising God for all I have seen, knowing that He will keep me as I walk forward.
Caring through Christ for you, Lyli, ~ linda
P.S. Your new site/system for comments and adding website et al is really good. You did a great job putting this together so quickly. : )
Linda, thanks for your sweet affirmation about the new self-hosted blog. I have watched a lot of You Tube videos to learn — most of it is just installing a “plug in” that creates the feature you need. And, the folks at OutstandingSETUP created the shell of my new web site. (I would have been lost without their help!)
The picture of the shepherds praising Him on the way is a beautiful one, isn’t it?
Hope you have a wonderful New Years!
It’s the “with joy” part that’s hard sometimes! Care for them, nurture them, guide them, though we need these things ourselves too 🙂 And I love that you said He makes heroes out of unlikely people. How awesome is that. Stopping by from Thriving Thursdays.
Stephanie, thanks for stopping by! Yes, once I get back to the daily nitty gritty, I tend to struggle maintaining a joyful equilibrium. I am more of an emotional rollercoaster. 🙂
Great message, Lyli. Yup, now it’s time to get to work – to tend to the *flock* with love, and to spread the message that the King is here with His gift of salvation!
GOD BLESS!
I don’t want to be selfish and hold on to that gift like a miser.
Hope you have a wonderful New Year, Sharon! 🙂
Thank you for reminding me without reminding me that I had forgotten Thought Provoking Thursday! I didn’t have my little notebook with me this morning and I couldn’t remember where to post today 🙁 So glad you stopped by for as soon as I saw your name I remembered you had taken over TPT! I loved your thoughts today, Life Goes On!!
Nannette, I was blessed to link up after you at Thriving Thursdays… so we should both thank Crystal. So glad you stopped by and linked up!
God has really made it clear what my word for 2014 shall be. 🙂 He spoke to me again here. Love how He does that. I look forward to sharing my word next Wednesday! Have you chosen a word yet? I so loved your word this year. It always made me smile.
Beth, I am excited about hearing what your 2014 theme is going to be. Yes, I have chosen a theme (or I guess it has chosen me…). Mine will be a 2-word phrase this year. 🙂
GREAT post Lyli!