Purposed to Proclaim!
God is always on time, He operates in Seasons, in the fullness of time. Everything that is, everything that was and everything that is to come has already been predestined, preordained and pre-planned. This is the order of God. Isaiah 46:10 says, "I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say, 'My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please." Job 10:12 declares, "In his Hand is the life of every creature and the breath of all mankind." If anyone discerned this from his relationship of intimacy with God and from the expressions and expositions of the Psalms, David did. In Psalm 31:15 David implores, " My times are in your hand; rescue me from the hand of my enemies and from my persecutors!. In other translations he says, "My times are in Your Hands, "My future is in Your Hands; "The course of my life is in Your Power!" How incredibly assuring to have the confidence in a Saviour who holds the future days of our lives in His Hands. No matter our circumstance or station in life one thing is guaranteed, God holds it together. Romans 8:28 states, "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."

Come with me to Luke 2 where Shepherds were watching over their sheep one night. When the flock was too far from the village to lead it to the fold at night, these shepherds would stay with them in the fields, even in the dead of winter. How very poignant and richly significant to know that these were the same fields from which David had been called to tend God's Israel, Gods flock! Talk about Gods orchestration of events, places, stations and the handpicked vessels He appoints. Suddenly with no warning, an Angel of the Lord stood by them, and Gods Shekinah Glory shone all around. The word "Shekinot" means to "settle in", to "dwell with" This word Shekinah means to where God is dwelling, to where His Divine Presence is. The Shepherds were terrified, but the Angel reassured them, "Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; You shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men." Luke 2:10-14.

I always marvel at the fact that the biggest breaking news story ever told on this planet was revealed to Shepherds! They were the outcasts and outsiders of society, uncultured, uncouth and uneducated they were the least of society, their testimony was not even admissible in a court of law, yet God chose them. I love how God gives us a chance, how inclusive His Gospel is of especially the ones society labels as rejects and substandard. This story was not heralded to palace officials, statesmen or members of high office, it was reserved exclusively for these shepherds. They were told of Jesus' birth of a Saviour born to all mankind yet one very significant sign must surely have perplexed them even more . They were told that this Saviour was to be found in a manger! As if things could not get any more mystifying and baffling, a multitude of heavenly hosts accompanied the angel singing praises to God. And then they left. I cannot imagine how difficult it must have been for the shepherds to articulate, to comprehend, to make sense of this visitation, yet their response showcased their spontaneity to the call. They could have debated amongst themselves, they could have dismissed it as one crazy allusion, a hallucination or some deception but Scripture says the purposed to go to Bethlehem! It was a collective decision. "Let us go to Bethlehem and see what the Lord has made known to us" They made haste, without hesitation they met with Jesus and His parents, they knew it was from God and they worshipped Him. More than this, they went to the City of Bethlehem proclaiming the Good News of what was revealed to them and everyone who heard were amazed! From Shepherds to evangelists in a heartbeat.

We are in a time where we must be ready for the call of God on our lives. That the manger where Jesus lies represents the poor, the lost, the lonely, the orphaned, the refugee, the drug addict, the outcast, the prisoner, the unbeliever, the atheist, the promiscuous, the forgotten and the list is endless but so is the Saving Grace, the Redeeming power and the inclusive Gospel of Jesus Christ, it is for all and to all. When God comes knocking on your door, when He orchestrates the events to reveal His will for your life, then you too should and must purpose to go and purpose to proclaim the Good News that a Saviour is born, to all people. Make haste, God knows we have so little time left.