A tiny Shepherd. Enough.

I was sitting at my sister and brother-in-law's church yesterday through two services as they led worship with the band. Most people just judge the 2nd service or play games on their iPhones but I was intrigued in the first one and couldn't help but listen and write through the 2nd. Pastor Chan talked about not being afraid, how the angel called the shepherds in the fields to "not be afraid" and go see the baby Jesus. He explained and justified all of their fears-- inadequacies, lack of education, lack of self worth, slaves, unloved... And then he talked through why we feel that way a lot of the time and why it was important for them to leave fear and go see Jesus. The beauty for me is that Jesus loves the underdog. He always has-- reaching out to those cast down and out by society and healing them, restoring them to their righteous places. What an adoration and love I have for that part of Jesus's heart. 

I penned these words during the second service hoping to identify what it was they felt and I think God softened my heart for the shepherds and let me see something more. Praying that this season is a gift for you in more than presents under the tree. This tiny Shepherd is so much more than enough. So. Much. More. 

-Melis

We were out in the field,

As we had been for days, 

Guarding our cattle and sheep.

Wondering. Wandering. Wondering.

One night, as we were, 

an angel appeared to us,

To tell us to not be afraid, 

A Savior had been born. 

We were to go see Him. Us?

Many of us, slaves. Sons. Worthless. 

Not believing that we were

The ones being told to go. 

This baby, a Savior, the Messiah.

We were unworthy, unloved and inadequate. 

Outcast by religion and society

Religion proved our unworthiness.

We were poor.

Marginalized. Uneducated. Unwanted.

But we were good shepherds--

We knew the voice of a Master. 

And the angel spoke with authority from God. This was Good News.

We took our flocks without fear and went

To see the Anointed One. 

We were not afraid- 

We had been told the Truth. 

We went to see this tiny Shepherd. 

This small one lying in a manger

Surrounded by love in a mother and father. And us. 

We knew that He was more than a babe in a trough. 

We praised God as we left and shared our story with everyone we knew. 

"Love came down and rescued me. 

Love came down and set me free. 

'I am Yours. I am forever Yours.'

Mountain high and valley low. 

I sing out and remind my soul,

'I am Yours. I am forever yours.'"

Those were the words we sang- 

Forever. In our coming and going.

The words of a deep reminder that a Tiny Shepherd would guide us and keep us and regard us as enough.

That would make our poverty-

Enough.

That would take our lack of education, self worth, and finances-

Enough. 

That would walk with us through the highest mountains and lowest valleys-

And be more than enough. 

A Tiny Shepherd.

   Who removed our fears 

And made us fearless. 

   Enough. 

(Lyrics to "Love Came Down" written by Brian Johnson. I'm familiar with Kari Jobe's version and they sang this yesterday at the end of each service.)