AFTER THE ANGELS HAVE GONE AWAY

"As the angels were gone away" keeps coursing through my mind. As glorious, as awe-inspiring, as monumental, that moment was when the supernatural messengers of God broke through the veneer that separates the material from the spiritual world to announce the birth of the Savior to the shepherds, it ended. The angels "were gone away." The glory of the Lord no longer shined. The heavenly choir had exited the stage of sky. The night closed back upon the shepherds as normality returned to the pastures. The moment had passed. What would the shepherds do? Would they act upon the good news of the angels and go checkout this Babe sleeping in a feeding trough? Would they believe that peace had come to planet earth? Or would they marvel at the chills and thrills they felt and then return to life as usual? Wonderfully, the shepherds did not settle back down around the campfire. They acted on the news of the angel and headed to Bethlehem. Had they not acted, though they'd had an interesting tale to tell, their lives would have been unchanged. Many people have had that wonderful moment when the glory of God has been manifested in their lives, the Word of God has rung clear in their hearts, the euphoric epiphany of God has lit their hearts and minds. But, as soon as it passed, as all such experiences must, they did nothing. They did not act. They did not commit. They did not seek. They did purpose. So, the moment passed, and they settle back to life as usual. As the Word is preached, the unbeliever hears God calling. He does not act, leaves the church, and returns walking the broad way to destruction. A mighty revival allows one to be overwhelmed with the power of God. The revival ends, and that one returns to apathy, indifference, and coldness. A young person, has an undeniable encounter with the Holy Spirit at youth camp. The camp ends and the young person goes right back to the uncommitted life that seeks pleasure in the world. The angels have gone away, but they did not purpose to act upon what God has spoken. Christmas 2013 with all it wonderful singing, dramas, cantatas, messages is over. The angels have gone away. Have you been changed?