Good Enough for GodSample

THE SHEPHERDS

Have you ever been minding your business, going through life as usual, and then something crazy happened? Something that changed your day — maybe even your life?

For us, this might look like earning a grade we didn’t expect, hearing some surprising news from friends or family, or even making a decision that had bigger consequences than we anticipated.

For the shepherds in the Christmas story, it was Jesus. His birth was the crazy thing that changed their lives forever.

When the shepherds went out to watch their sheep that night, there’s no way they could’ve known they’d be some of the first people to meet the Messiah. They were just doing their jobs when all of a sudden, angels appeared and told them not only had the Savior finally been born, but He was also nearby!

Imagine how fast you’d run if you heard your favorite singer or band was having a free concert a mile from your house (and snacks and merch were free too). The shepherds probably moved faster.

They didn’t go home and take a bath to get rid of the sheep smell. They didn’t put on their church clothes and brush their hair. They didn’t stop to consider whether or not they were worthy to stand in front of Jesus and His family. The Bible makes it clear they decided to go, then ran to Bethlehem as fast as they could.

Just like with Mary and Joseph, God could’ve chosen anyone for the angels to appear to. It would have made sense to pick a famous preacher or a president to spread the good news of that first Christmas — and yet God chose ordinary people.

The Christmas story is the greatest story ever told, but it’s not over yet. God is still working and writing His story today, and He wants to do it through you. Take a page from those unnamed shepherds by recognizing that you’re enough just as you are. Thanks to Jesus, you don’t have to be perfect or have a platform to play a part in God’s story.

What would you do differently if you knew God wanted to use you in His story? The shepherds shared the news that changed their lives with anybody who would listen. Who in your life needs to hear the good news of Jesus so they can have a better story?