Make it Known–Another Shepherd Lesson

The Christmas Worship Challenge

“When they had seen this, they made known the statement which had been told them about this Child. And all who heard it wondered at the things which were told them by the shepherds…The shepherds went back, glorifying and praising God for all that they had heard and seen, just as had been told them.”

Luke 2:17-18, 20

Just as a diamond reflects light from many facets cut into the surface, worship also reflects God’s light in many ways. Worship is ignited by the countless attributes of His nature, stirred up through the giving of His blessings, and expressed in a myriad of ways by hearts transformed in His light. Continuing to take a learning look into the brief story of the Shepherds, more lessons in worship rise off the page and into my heart. Truly, worship is a shimmering, responsive movement of the heart and Spirit Holy–a holy conversation of the soul.

Have you ever considered what we miss out on when we listen with ears busy and preoccupied, with hearts weighed down  with the demands of the sheep on our hillsides?

Have you ever counted the cost of an unresponsive heart?

A heart too busy to worship?

Conviction and repentance pour forth as I become aware of the unresponsiveness of my heart. Every time I hear, read, think of this story, let my heart jump with the joy.

Worship Tip: Make it Known…Share Your Story

So simple. “When they had seen this (the Christ Child),” response came naturally. There was no standing around…planning, discussing, debating on what to do next, how best to respond. They saw Christ and unable to contain themselves, they made it known. They told the story, sharing with hearts astounded with the awe of experiencing God entering their world. This was not just an, “Oh, by the way, a really cool thing happened last night…” kind of making it known. Making it known is translated to “tell abroad.”

Worship Tip: The Power of Wonder

However they shared the story, the effect touched many–“all who heard it” responded as well, wondering, marveling with admiring hearts. How often have I heard the story of God breaking into the darkness of our lost world and had little reaction? Business, familiarity, distraction of things shiny and other, decorations that cover rather than reflect–distraction and nonchalance come in a variety of packages, but they are a reflection of hearts preoccupied.

Today’s Worship Challenge: Make it  known.

Tell the story, prompted by the wonder of what God has given. Tell your story, how He has broken into your darkness, your problems and failures, with the light of His merciful kindness–this is what the world needs. Tell the story with heart’s astounded and eyes open to the stunning wonder of God–this is the witness the world unknowingly craves. How can we not tell the story? Prayer: Lord, break through the hard spots in our hearts and open our joy. Let our words rise up spontaneously, freely to make You known and to tell the wonder of the story of the countless ways you enter our lives every day. May we receive the stretching, transforming power of the Holy Spirit. And we will tell the story. We will be Your witnesses, sharing as we go…wherever we are, wherever you send us.

“…but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.”

Acts 1:8

Who will you tell today?

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