ENCOUNTER

The shepherds' encounter with Jesus changed them forever.  They returned to their old jobs as new people.

That's important to grasp.

How has your encounter with Jesus changed you?
Can those at work see a difference?
Can your friends at school see you've changed?
Is your attitude different?
Do you give greater effort at work now that you follow Christ?
Have your values changed?  Your thoughts?  Your speech?  Your motives?
Do you operate with greater integrity than before?
How are you different at home, work and school because of Jesus?

Impacting the world for Christ for most of us doesn't mean across the globe;  it's across the hall.  It's impacting family - it's impacting friends - it's impacting neighbors - it's impacting co-workers.  That's our world.

You think your job and life are boring?  Try herding sheep every day.  But the shepherds went back to their old employment with new excitement because Jesus had changed their perspective about life.

Most of us don't need to change our jobs; we just need to change ourselves.  We need to go back to the old job as a new person, with a new attitude and a new perspective -- because Jesus has changed us.

The greatest evidence of Jesus walking the Earth isn't a bunch of people being healed; it's a bunch of forever changed lives after an encounter with Jesus.  That's the greatest message we have this Christmas.

And be blessed.