It sometimes seems as though life has sped up and got off kilter. Well, it probably has. Life in Christ is hardly ever uneventful, we may find ourselves facing unexpected twists to our otherwise mundane existence. Consider today’s Holy Nougat for example;
“Suddenly an angel of ADONAI stood before them, and the glory of ADONAI shone all around them; and they were absolutely terrified.” Luke 2:9 TLV
What an interesting tableau – shepherds minding their sheep in the ‘dead’ of night; with a shiny being hovering around. Many of us would vacillate between euphoria at the potential a divine visit could bring and being equally petrified at having such a visit in the night, especially with no advance notice. How do you think you would respond?
One thing that stands out to me is the fact that divine visits had ceased, even in the temple. So, the angel’s sudden, shining appearance might have inspired matching spontaneous responses from the shepherds. A few may have fainted; some fallen to the ground face-first; and others may have forfeited food and drink upon sight of the spectacle.
The thing is; whether we are prepared or not, God often operates through ‘and suddenly’. For better or worse, God turns up unexpectedly; and while the outcome of God’s visits are better for some, in the and suddenly moment it may not feel that way.
Have you ever had an and suddenly moment? Where God appears without warning, especially in unexpected spaces? What was your response? How do we prepare for God’s sudden moves in our lives? For, virus or not, we seem to be caught (once again) in a season of sudden moves of God. If that is so, then rather than being engulfed in fear, we ought to operate in hope (joyous anticipation) of being brought unexpectedly into God’s divine plan.
And yes, those shepherds might have been deemed less than ideal candidates for the visitation. But, after the initial shock, we’re told they were open to hearing from God’s messenger. Though occupied with work, they were not so busy that they couldn’t see or hear from God. Then, having been given their mission, they basically left every thing to go see, to go worship.
If we’re operating in hope of having a personal divine visitation similar to the shepherds, then we ought to prepare. Yes, prepare. By seeking God’s face in a world that generally denies the existence of God. By being more attentive to our spaces and more so, to God’s Spirit around and within us. By being open to the move of God’s Spirit in this time, in our lives. By being free enough to move and be as God requires of us in this very moment.
For some of us, it may require being less busy with stuff – and that may be partly the positive aspect of the times. For others, this may be a time for removing cobwebs and dust mites from around the holy places – our bodies, minds and spirits. For those are the places where God meets us and comes to dwell, should we be willing.
It’s always ‘and suddenly’ season; the time for unexpected but mighty moves of God. Are we ready? And, are we willing?
