It’s the day before Christmas Eve.
But, it’s just another day on the job for the shepherds watching flocks by night.
They have no idea what’s waiting for them on the other side of 24 hours.
— They will be the only ones personally invited to see the Messiah, right in the delivery room.
— Angels are actually going to light up the sky and blast a singing telegram from God in surround sound.
— Then, just as quickly, the sky will drop back into dead silence, darkness and stars standing in their places, just as they’ve always hung in panoramic view.
The shepherds will wonder.
Was that for real?
Did I actually see and hear what I think just happened?
When God sends us a message — just to us and no one else — we will stagger into that fearful and wonderful place the shepherds found themselves 2,000 years ago.
We will find ourselves in the Fields of Faith.
Fields of Faith
God does that.
He drops by to give us some exciting joyful news. Change. New beginnings.
He tells us about His plans with a simple announcement. No explanations.
His timing is peculiar too.
God hits us with an inspiration, when we’re feeling the most ordinary.
Like the shepherds, we encounter God as we’re sitting on the outside, on the fringes of what we think is our best.
Just as we get excited — just as we begin daring to believe what we we’re hearing or seeing about God and His invitation — Whoosh!
Everything returns back to everyday sameness.
Darkness. Circumstances and people around all circling and in holding patterns, just as they’ve always been.
This is when we must hold onto faith and gather our courage.
Wild Eyes & Open Hearts
C’mon. Let’s do it.
Let’s say to ourselves — and to each other — just as the shepherds blurted, bright eyed and open hearted to each other:
“Let us go to Bethlehem and see what the Lord has told us about.” (Luke 2:15 GWT)
In an instant, God can call out to us in the field of faith and invite us to leave where we are, to go and see.
We may not believe it, but God is calling us out into the open, wooing us to radically leave the routines we’ve established behind. We will have to say good bye to some old ways and even some familiar expectations.
But when it’s time to point our steps to go and discover what God’s told us, it’s time for us to act.
As you think and savor these last days of Christmas, remember what God has told you. No matter how brief the encounter or how few the words.
He said it. And you heard it.
Let’s go and discover what the Lord has for us in the new year.
~~~~~
Have you wondered about your “field of faith” encounter?
How is God calling you to leave, go or see?
~~~~~
*** NOW, IT’S YOUR TURN — FAITH BARISTA JAM! ***
Faith Barista Jam Thursdays — I serve up a topic of faith, you write the post. Keep faith fresh with a faith prompt and add your voice to this community.
Today’s topic: Your Unwrapping Jesus Discoveries
Share your post by clicking on the blue button below “Add Your Link”. You can also share directly by simply commenting below.
*1. Ways to celebrate Christmas simply.
*2. Inspiring moments that fill you with God’s love, joy, peace, or hope.
*3. Encouragement to see Christmas in a new way.
*4. A Fresh Take on the Gift of Jesus.
*Special Topic for January 6, 2011!*
Our next Faith Barista Jam will start up in the new year (Can you believe it?)Share one word God is putting on your heart for the new year. (I know you have many. No worries. We’ll be exploring many!)
*Special Bloggers Mailing List* I send out my writing-for-faith tips along with the topic, as a reminder for the jams. If you’re not already on it, drop me an email at faithbarista@gmail.com — I’ll get you right on it!
Approach it any way you feel inspired! Only required ingredient: keep it real. Thanks for serving your personal brews!
Build the Keep Fresh Fresh Community: Link back to Faith Barista or grab this month’s special Christmas Faith Barista Jam Badge to place in your post. Click here.
It’s a jam session. As time allows, say hi & drop a comment when visiting the community faith blends!
~~~~~
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43 Comments
God has given Josh & I a vision for a mentoring program for young ministry leaders. It seems impossible. It seems impractical. It seems improbable. But, nothing is impossible for God! So, we’re watching to see how He brings it to fruition. Merry Christmas, Bonnie! 🙂
.-= Melissa Brotherton´s last blog ..The end of the story =-.
Ooh! So exciting! God possibilities 😀
.-= Jeri @godsdreamsforme´s last blog ..This Christmas – Definitely More than Just Special =-.
You said it — Nothing is impossible for God. The more improbable is what makes God incredibly amazing at work in you! May that desire grow in the new year, as God makes it clearer to you.
“Let’s go and see what the Lord’s been telling us about”. He’s really been encouraging me to write and photograph for Him. It’s been making me feel healthier than I’ve ever felt. No more, “whoosh” and back to normal. I’m saying with God, “Yes, and Amen!” Lord, grace for more courage to go and do for you. 😀
Thank you so much for the nourishment and fullness in these words of life.
Have a very blessed and wonderful Christmas, Bonnie and all you jammers!
.-= Jeri @godsdreamsforme´s last blog ..This Christmas – Definitely More than Just Special =-.
I can see how God would bless through your photography, just like your words, Jeri!
Thank you. I needed this reminder today Bonnie.
.-= Katie´s last blog ..Unwrapping Jesus through Blue Christmas =-.
Thanks for being here, Katie!
[…] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Glynn Young. Glynn Young said: Fields of Faith: The Call to Bright Eyes & Open Hearts, new post by @TheBonnieGray at Faith Barista. http://bit.ly/ejhEvw […]
“Leave where we are and go…” We just wait and wait and wait, don’t we? But god wants us to do something!
“You take the trip, I’ll light the sky”
http://tinyurl.com/26mop26
Thanks for sponsoring the jam!
.-= David Rupert´s last blog ..Will we become a nincompoop nation =-.
Absolutely loved your post on this jam, David. One of my faves, for sure – tied with your military nostalgic post!
[…] Share and Enjoy: […]
LOVE this post Bonnie!
Thank you so much! I’m indeed waiting in expectation of what God is calling me to in this next year. And I am looking forward to the things He has planned, the things He wants of me.
Love ya girl! Marry Christmas and Happy New Year!!!
.-= Leanna´s last blog ..Facebook Christmas Story =-.
Merry Christmas to you, too! Love seeing you here – jamming together, Leanna!
You mean I can’t just stay there in the field, where He spoke to me?
Ah. No. ‘Cause if I stayed right there, I wouldn’t see the greater wonder in Bethlehem. Thank you, Bonnie. He really is moving me outta here—beyond here.
Merry Christmas, dear one.
So exciting, Monica! You always share what you see … will be waiting!
[…] faith during the holiday season, visit Bonnie Gray’s blog today and be sure to check out her post about the shepherds in the field. It’s a good one! Share and […]
I love how this story points out that GOD took the initiative to show something to the shepherds in the field, but they then had to get up to go see it. I’m so thankful God starts it all; we’d be way too lazy to save the world.
Another great post, Bonnie. Thanks for your faithfulness during December to keep us pointed to Jesus as the reason for the season. May you have a blessed Christmas!
.-= Lisa notes…´s last blog ..Holy Space and Holy Time =-.
I’ve really loved seeing Christmas through your eyes, Lisa. What you describe here is great – God’s initiative + our responsiveness. Love the reminder He starts it first.
I’m so surrounded by impossibilities, but I know I’ve heard the heart of heaven and I want to be faithful to what He’s called me to do! There is certainly an invitation, like the one the shepherds received, and it’s always pointing to worshipping Jesus. Great post. Thank you, Bonnie.
.-= jasonS´s last blog ..A Very Bloggy Christmas =-.
It’s hard to be faithful when you may and a few heard it. But, as you said, Jason, it’s an invitation we can’t refuse once we’ve heard it — points us to worship, just as you say!
I often think about those guys and wonder how it felt to be called in such a way. But you are right, Bonnie. We are all called out of our everyday living into something amazing–a life with Him. This Advent, I’ve been asking God a lot of questions. Sometimes He answers me with more questions. When I’m not sure what He is calling me to, I always remember that the thing he wants best is to be near. So I draw close, and the other fades away.
Merry Christmas, Bonnie. You have been a blessing to me in this place.
.-= Laura´s last blog ..Penny-less =-.
when the more questions come – wow. But, you’re right. I just draw near. It’s that simple. Oh what peace. Thanks.
.-= Jeri @godsdreamsforme´s last blog ..This Christmas – Definitely More than Just Special =-.
It’s wonderful I get that sense reading your writing, Laura – your sense of trust and willingness to wait. It comes through in the richness and depth of your writing.
Twice, God tantalized and terrorized us with two different possible moves. We prayed breathlessly and it turned out that both moves were a test to see if we would follow Him as we often preach. Right now, I feel as if God is saying, ‘STAY.’
.-= Nikole Hahn´s last blog ..Santa =-.
I like how you put it Nikole – God is more interested that we exercise our faith. That is why it’s so wonderful to find faith friends, to keep us company as we try to figure things out, go and sometimes – stay put. 😉
Bonnie, this is a toughie… it’s hard to know what God wants because there’s that driving fear of j.u.d.g.e.m.e.n.t.
.-= Joyce D.´s last blog ..How is God calling you to leave- go or see =-.
I hear you. I hear you. 😉
Just added my link.. awash in wonder and anticipation as I ponder His incarnation.
May your heart and home be filled with love, His joy and His peace.. on Christmas and each day!
.-= HisFireFly´s last blog ..Winter glory =-.
Thanks, HisFireFly. Always anticipate and get refreshed by your brews!
“Radically leave the routines we’ve established behind” . . . wow! But I LIKE my routines! They are comfortable, predictable. Oh how amazed those shepherds must have been to just get up and go. I pray that the Lord will help me be amazed, day after day.
Same here, Charity. I felt really impressed by them in my Christmas this year, too!
I just slipped in my link from Tuesday since I was committed to an @stickyJesus book study post today.
God has been calling me to see deep. I’ll be restructuring my blog and committing to two (count them–TWO–oh, help) books next year, devotional and fiction.
Big leap.
Thank you, Bonnie, for being such an encouragement and inspiration. You bless me so.
.-= Sandra Heska King´s last blog ..Reflections on @stickyJesus- Chapter 2 =-.
Wahoo! Yay – Sandy! Two… I’m not surprised. And I’m beaming for you!
I’m so encouraged by this take on the shepherds and trusting what God says to me. It’s so easy to doubt when dailyness invades an inspired thought or moments.
Thanks for giving me an opportunity to blog with you and this community. It has been and I expect it will continue to be a joy.
.-= Sheryl´s last blog ..Barbies- God- and Money =-.
I feel the same way. So blessed to meet you through the jams. You are an encourager!
Bonnie you always write something that speaks to where I am in this faith journey. Just over the past couple of months has my family felt the call to go. Not to anything drastically different, but to a new church. The transistion from the church my husband and son have always known hasn’t been easy and there have been those moments of sameness as you said. Making us wonder, but then the peace even amidst spiritual attacks bring us to the knowing God is there telling us it’s time for a change.
I wish I had been able to share in the faith jam this week, but I am so thankful you are willing to share your thoughts with us. You are always such an encouragement. Thank you.
.-= Amy Nabors´s last blog ..Stolen Breaths =-.
It’s that peace under spiritual attacks… God has a way of speaking out to us “Do not fear” when we are called to go. God bless you & your family — as you start putting down new roots. I’m so excited for this new church family. They’ve inherited a treasure – you!
My first time at the Jam, Bonnie. Thanks for hosting this and have a Merry Christmas!
.-= Brock S. Henning´s last blog ..Desert of the Wise- A View-Masters Journey =-.
Thanks for jamming, Brock! I’ve seen you over at friends’ places. Honored to have you here!
A simple Christmas challenge: Make your world a little larger
http://disjournal.blogspot.com/2010/12/simple-christmas-challenge-make-your.html
.-= Dave Taylor´s last blog ..A simple Christmas challenge- Make your world a little larger =-.
I feel the same way. So blessed to meet you through the jams. You are an encourager!
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