President's Thoughts At Christmas

date:: Dec. 13, 2011
by:: James Firnstahl
topic:: Leadership

Shepherd/Business Owners Told First!

In the most detailed account of Jesus' birth (Luke 2:6-20), the everyday worker-business owner, the humble shepherds, are among the very first to be notified. In a bold and creative display of heavenly glory and power, "an angel of Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them." Naturally they were a bit startled (afraid) to see someone with them out in the fields at night, not to mention it was an angel of the Lord accompanied by "a great company of the heavenly host." Just as incredible must have been the message they were given: "Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord."

Like good and practical business owners (shepherds), their first thought was to go and see for themselves: "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing which the Lord has told us about." After their encounter with the child, they immediately began to tell others, to be witnesses to "spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child." We are told they could not contain their joy as they "returned glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told."

Interesting isn't it? The first evangelists were actually what we would call today business owners and managers, the first marketplace ministers! Also of interest is that we sometimes refer to business manager/leaders as "shepherds." Do you remember when you first came to believe that Jesus Christ was really and truly God's Messiah? Like the shepherds near Bethlehem, over 2000 years ago, this was your encounter with the heavenly host, with God. I pray each of us might be willing to "spread the word concerning what has been told them about this child."

In your witness and ministry-business: be bold, be creative and with a sincere love, practice humility.

President's Thoughts At Christmas

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