January 9, 2008

I'm stuck. Again.

Over the Christmas holiday, as I read the Christmas story in Luke, I got stuck on Mary's response to the angel (I'll blog about that another time).

Now I'm stuck on the shepherds.

Of all the people on earth, why did God choose to reveal the good news about the Savior to shepherds? How is it that the shepherds did not question the angel, but instead ran to Bethlehem to see the Messiah?

Why didn't the angel appear to the religious leaders who were expecting the Messiah to come? Is it because they would not believe? After all, they were expecting a conquering king. But the birth (in a stable) of a baby (to a poor girl) did not fit their paradigm.

I wonder what I am missing because my expectations are not in sync with God's plan...

Is God doing something (or trying to do something) unexpected in and around me? Am I stuck in the rut of my own expectations?

Help God!

Pry me loose. Open my eyes. Give me faith.

Help me see your handiwork and praise you, just like the shepherds.