DAY 2 : DIVINE INTERRUPTION  Luke 2:9

“And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear.”

How do we react to a divine interruption? Imagine, going about in the midst of our routines and then God speaks? Granted we don’t have angelic choirs appearing, yet through God’s provision of Christ, we do have the Holy Spirit. 

As discussed earlier, the shepherds were unlikely candidates to be picked to receive a message from God, especially such an important one as the birth of the long-awaited Messiah. 

Yet what has always struck me by the angelic appearances mentioned in scripture is that it appears the first reaction of humanity is to fear. I have often wondered why that is. Yes, there could be fear for your life, but I think that it may actually be deeper. 

I think in the presence of the divine, the light shines on our true reality, it reveals brokenness and inadequacy and my soul is exposed like a deer in the headlights. I freeze. The truth cuts deeper than my facade, it looks past my bluffs at indifference or self-sufficiency. It shows who I really am. It is an awareness of all that I have been trying to hide. 

In this moment, we so desperately see our painfully massive need of grace. We see God and we see the distance between us. We hear the angels sing and are in awe, then we think of ourselves and we grow fearful. 

What will He ask us to do? How will He provide for it? For many of us, this is where we must apply what we so often say we believe. We are asked to sing the song we have said we have longed for with anticipation. 

REFLECTION :

Morning Pause: At the start of this day, spend some time praying for willingness to respond to the call of God in this day. Pray for eyes to see, ears to hear, lips to speak and hands to serve. 

Afternoon Pause: How is this day going? In the midst of the chaos, how is God disrupting your routine? What might He be saying? 

Evening Pause: Tonight, at the close of the day, spend some time thanking God for His provision for you. Although we may second guess it, it does not change the fact that God is always with us. Take some time to praise God for the truth and for our hearts to live accordingly.