“When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.””

‭‭Luke‬ ‭2:15‬ ‭ESV‬‬

http://bible.com/59/luk.2.15.esv

The shepherds were simply in the fields watching over the sheep like they usually do each night and out of the blue, an angel appears to them with good news of great joy. So often we are tempted to try to make something glorious happen in our lives and yet we see from this picture that it’s in the mundane that God shows up. The shepherds were not doing anything special. They were simply going about their daily tasks and then one day, one ordinary day God comes crashing in!

From what we understand about the shepherds, these men had some knowledge about the coming Messiah. These were temple shepherds, charged with taking care of the sheep that would be used for sacrifices. Everyday they had been looking forward to the coming Messiah, daily being faithful to their own responsibilities. When the time was right, God sent His son Jesus crashing into the daily routine and changing it forever.

After the angels returned to heaven, the shepherds had to make a conscious decision: go over and see what had been told to them. God makes us aware of things but it is up to us to act on it. For some, like the Shepherds, prayers and longings have been answered and now God expects there to be obedience and action.

It’s wonderful to know that God is at work in our situations even though we may feel like it’s just another boring, mundane day. Jesus came and was born in a less than glorious and sanitary place. Shepherds were the first to be made known of His birth; common ordinary shepherds. Why like this? I submit because Jesus wants to identify with common ordinary people. He wants to show up each day of your working, ordinary life and make it special.

Each day we live isn’t going to resonate with some angelic announcement. It’s not going to be filled with some glorious angelic message. But there’s no doubt that everyday doesn’t have to be ordinary when we are aware of Christ’s presence among us. We have all received some message from God, some greeting, some mission, some challenge or inspiration. The task found now is to follow through with wha we have been told, to act on what we know. When we do, everyday is a new un-ordinary day filled with worship and wonder.

How has God spoken to you about something lately?

How has God shown up in your ordinary working day?

Are you looking for God around you?

Have you been obedient to the work God has called you to?

What action do you need to take in response to what God has revealed to you?