Most posts I breeze through, writing the rough draft within no more than a few minutes. God builds a post weeks ahead of time, in my head, then I tap out the fullness of what I felt like He said, the best I can.
But this post has gripped me, marinating down into the core of my “theology”.
Because I see a people, waiting for a Savior…but only some Shepherds, and a few wise men ever find him.
And I think about those who missed the birth of the Christ child? Where was the rest of the world when God incarnate chose to come?
And yet, we live in a day and a culture that may spend hours in the house of God, they may seek “great things” that He offers. But yet, they miss His birth, the resurrection in the place He wants most to be born…the deep well of our very hearts.
And could it be, we still want a God who smashes our enemies? A God who comes baring gold and other material possessions? Do we want a God that lives in our own castles? Ones we can control? A God we can make sense of?
And yet, He is big! A multi-faceted God that’s uncontainable. A God not fully know, one that mere words can’t explain Him.
And He defies the understanding of our world. He defies our understanding, because He won’t be purchased or sold. He won’t be manipulated to look like we want Him.
And where did it get lost…the idea that an infant in a manger…is somehow less than fully God? Was He not the ruling reigning King when He left His eternal Kingdom and chose to humble himself as a baby?
Did He lose his Lordship when He chose to become weak?
More so, is it not still the case…the strongest of things often come in the weakest, most vulnerable packages?
And He was still fully Lord when He hung on a cross, and appeared to be rejected by men?
And yet the question many ask….is God still God when bad things happen? Do we still let Him be King, when our roofs fall in, when our plans and our purpose fail us?
And in a culture so individualized, capable, and self-sufficient…do we miss Him because we look around or inward….but not up?
And I covet the simplicity of the Shepherds who knew. The one’s who walked grass like flesh, but responded to the call to come and see the Savior….
Still would we? Would we pick up what we have done, count it all loss, and go and find a King that comes like a baby? Or do we refuse to worship weakness, innocent, and vulnerability in a day of strength and grandiose self-sufficiency?
And I have been thinking lately…
If we pride ourselves on living so self-sufficient, why would we need an ALL sufficient Savior? Is it not the broken who are most desperate for a physician?
So, I am choosing to delight in my weakness this season. To slow my world and fear not wandering the open places. Lord, make me a Shepherd, one who doesn’t miss the birthing of her Savior’s redemption.
And my friend, this season, that is my prayer for you! That you might not rush by, like those who lived in the walls of their own resurrected Kingdoms….
That you might live like the wise men…scanning the heavens for the God of our salvation…one who lived and died so that we can crucify our own rituals and guilt induced sacrifices…
For He came near to us so that we too might be made small. That we too might lay aside all “right to power”, all hope to “control”, all worldly possessions that might blind us to the true light of Bethlehem.
Yes, that is my heart-cry. I want to see Him more fully than I every have this season…don’t you?
How do you find the manger in the chaos of this season? How might you choose to be made small, so that He can become alive and reborn in you even more today?
11 Comments
Oh, Jen, this is a beautiful post. You are so right about the way we live today and miss so much in our very lives, let alone the Savior. We certainly have not been the only generation or people who miss the One Who came for us as you beautifully point out. Thank you for listening to God and responding to Him by writing the words here. I have been blessed and have much to ponder and savor. May we truly be as the shepherds, not just as the shepherds, but as you prayed, be shepherds ourselves and come across those fields in search of our LORD.
I am overwhelmed by Him at this moment. I have been touched, my friend.
Caring through Christ, ~ linda
Linda – Thank you for your comment! Can’t tell you how I labored over these words, wrestling with them as I post it! So, to think that even one might be blessed…means so, so much! May your season be ever full of Christ this year!
Next Monday I’m actually posting something about finding the manger! The way I am finding the manger in the chaos is by reminding myself that the ONLY thing that holds this whole world together, including my crazy life, is a Person. Emmanuel – God with us – Jesus.
If I take my eyes off of Him, then I lose sight…
You know, I think the animals knew. I think they knew that they had witnessed the birth of their Creator. And I think they were in awe.
I’m going to be like one of God’s little sheep this year – and I’m going to focus on the tiny baby in the manger. The baby who became the King!
GOD BLESS, Jen!
Sharon – Oh yes…that’s it! If we (His disciples) are silent, the rocks will cry out! And I too believe everything near the Savior knew the glory of the moment He was born! And yet, I miss it! I miss it all the time! Oh that we might stay ever near Him…as those sheep were near the manger that day, gazing on His most precious face!
Lord, give me eyes to see….
Thanks for this reminder, Jen. Such a beautiful Advent reflection! 🙂
Lyli – Thank you Lyli! Yes lord, narrow our focus to really “see” what Christmas was first..and is truly about!
It has been far too long since I’ve been by and your beautiful words are a reminder to come in more often. Your prayer…yes, that is mine, to slow down as I do not want to miss Him. Yes, I want to see Him more fully! Thank you for this tonight.
Blessings to you,
Beth
Beth – Your sweet words so encourage me today! Thank you!
Jen – This is a most beautiful & thought provoking post. I am joining you in this prayer – to be made small, to let go, to be like the Shepherds. I want to look up & see Him & embrace Him & bow before Him. So grateful to have read these words today. Blessings,
Joanne
I will join you in delighting in my weakness this season! December brings a low-level anxiety that I am constantly trying to stave off. Posts like yours help keep me centered in Him. Thank you.
Joanne – Oh friend, I can just imagine the fullness of the joy, and peace, and love that must have been at that manger over 2000 yrs ago. That we might “go low” to experience it TOGETHER, this season! 🙂
Laura – Praying for you today Laura…and for all of us, really…that His Spirit in us, alive, will stave off that anxiety that wants to grab a hold of all of us, and mess with us this season! Blessings and thank you so much for joining UNITE and and taking the time to comment!
Laura