Sheep

Tonight Josh and I had the opportunity to lead an English study with a group of college students and we dove into the Good News book together. Josh and I had planned to teach Mark, but felt that the Father was leading us more towards Luke...so Luke is where we began. Since we didn't know the status of some of the students it seemed like a good idea to start in Chapter 2 and study the birth of the Son and what that meant for all of mankind.

When we showed up this evening we walked into a group strictly of brothers and sisters which was a blessing because we were able to get this study started with a solid group who is committed to coming, with the prospect of non-sisters and brothers eventually joining in. After talking with a local couple over the past month or so, they informed us that a discussion type study would work best, so a discussion type study was what we did. We went through the story sections at a time and there was a lot of good stuff discussed. Much of it wasn't new to us or to the Chinese, but its always refreshing to re-visit the exact time in history when the hope of man was restored and the everlasting King was born.

As we talked, it was so neat to see how many of the Chinese relate to the text in the same way that we Americans do. Our Father's words really are living and active. They are able to reach people of all cultures even ones as opposite as American and Chinese.

Anyway, as the discussion continued on, there were many key points that were brought to our attention that we all elaborated on, and it was all good stuff...but then a topic came up that kicked me right in the gut. From a passage I had read so many times before, Father's words (living and active) spoke so clearly to everyone, but especially to me.

When you look at the shepherds who dropped everything, left their flocks (which their life revolved around, their sole source of income, of survival) and went to see, worship, and praise the little baby, there is a perfect example set for our lives. Not only did they leave but when they received the gift that was given they didn't rush back to make sure that their flock was safe and still in order, they went out and shared the good news. These men literally left all they had behind for the sake of obedience and joy. Talk about setting the bar...

The truth is that we all have sheep that we have to put aside to share the good news. For these shepherd men, it was literally sheep, their life, that they put aside to go out and tell everyone. For the Chinese their sheep is fear of imprisonment, persecution, or having family disown them...To me, those seem to be rather big sheep and completely justifiable...but no, out of obedience and the pure joy of spreading the Father's love they are supposed to go out and tell people too. This revelation to the group made them all really reconsider how they had been living their life as a child of the Most High. They challenged themselves to set aside their sheep and trust that He would tend to them while they were taking part in His work.

It was a great thing that they were so deep in thought and discussion because I'm fairly certain that I shrunk to about 2 inches tall...What a humbling and embarrassing slap in the face. These people, my brothers and sisters, face real danger with sharing but have such a desire to do it anyway. They have sheep on steroids. Me, I don't even deserve to call my reasons "sheep." My pathetic excuses, with which I convince myself are valid reasons, consist of ridiculous things like: "I just don't want to feel uncomfortable," "I really would just rather try to share through my actions," and my personal best "I don't want to lose or really upset my friend." What the heck kinds of sheep are those?! Those are more like the fleas that dwell on the sheep. How pathetic is that? How pathetic am I?

An angel said in Luke 2:10-11 "I bring you good news of great joy that will be for ALL THE PEOPLE. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior." A gift for all the people at that time and then for all the rest of time. A joyous gift that is meant to be shared. Who else is going to share it but those who have already received it?!

Out of love, I want to challenge you all... Find your sheep (gigantic or microscopic, valid or downright embarrassing), gather them up, and then toss them aside. Nothing is worth the eternal life of another person. He will take care of all the sheep you leave behind while you are tending to His.

"Your testimonies are my heritage forever, for they are the joy of my heart. I incline my heart to perform your statutes forever, to the end."  -Psalm 119: 111-112