Be Still When Your World is Turned Upside Down (Advent 17, 2017)

Luke 1:9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.

I don’t know what would be more terrifying:  an angel of the Lord or the glory of the Lord shining all around my location.  Both would be completely out of the ordinary and sure to turn my world upside down: from real world to supernatural.  It’d quickly go from my eyes and ears and straight to the marrow of my bones.

What do you think of the supernatural?

Something about the supernatural makes it way too easy to dismiss in American culture.  We pass it off as fantasy, impossible, stuff of the movies and we’re entertained by it, but our rational, fact-based approach to life calls us to disbelief.  Oh, don’t take it seriously, our minds tell us. 

There must be an explanation for how it works.

So one minute these shepherds are admiring the starry, starry night, and then the next minute they’re scared out of their sandals. 

They took it seriously. 

As should we.  Still.  Awe-struck.  Terrified, even.

 * * *

Be Still, shepherds.  This is really happening.  And terror is totally understandable.  Proverbs 9:10 “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.”  Be still, be wise.

Be Still.  I invented the supernatural.  I am at home—every bit as much—in the supernatural realm just as I am in the world and universe I created.  But, I don’t live in a house made by hands.  (Chuckling) If you only saw where I live…

Be Still and Know that I AM God.  About Me, Isaiah writes, Isaiah 33:5 “The LORD is exalted, for he dwells on high; he will fill Zion with justice and righteousness. 6 He will be the sure foundation for your times, a rich store of salvation and wisdom and knowledge; the fear of the LORD is the key to this treasure.”  So go ahead, be terrified.  I won’t be offended.  It shows you’re seeking the key to a treasure you don’t understand, nor could you from your real world perspective—that My world is just as real.

Be Still and Know that I AM God.  I have something important to tell you.  Prepare yourself.  Turning your world upside down is about to take a cosmic and exponential turn and you ain’t seen nothin’ yet.  Just wait until you see My Son!  

Questions for Reflection:

1. Why is it hard for rational and logical people to accept the supernatural? 
2. In what ways are miracles and supernatural events embraced as reality in tribal cultures and in ones far from modernization? 
3. Do you think modernization is a hindrance to faith, a help to faith, or doesn’t impact it either way?  Why would you give that answer?

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Still Christmas, Advent 2017 Devotionals began December 3, 2017 and are archived from that date.