Here’s an important lesson from the shepherd’s response to joyous news:

But the angel reassured them, saying, “Don’t be afraid. For I have come to bring you good news, the most joyous news the world has ever heard! And it is for everyone everywhere!… When the choir of angels disappeared back to heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go! Let’s hurry and find this Word that is born in Bethlehem and see for ourselves what the Lord has revealed to us.” So they ran into the village and found their way to Mary and Joseph. And there was the baby, lying in a feeding trough. (Luke 2.10 – 16, TPT)

What’s our response to “the most joyous news the world has ever heard”? The shepherds’ response was immediate AND fast: “Let’s go! Let’s hurry…so they ran into the village…” Why? “To see for ourselves what the Lord has revealed to us.”

Do we want to see for ourselves? I often teach and advocate for the practice of daily time with God. A set-aside time to hear directly from God through the Word and respond to him in prayer. It’s joyous news that we have that privilege!

No one has ever come to me after such a teaching and said, “Bob, that’s the dumbest idea I’ve ever heard! I’m not going to do that.” No one says that – everyone says that spending time with God is a wonderful idea. But they don’t hurry to get the practice started. There are days that I don’t hurry to my designated place for my daily prayer time.

There are times for running – for doing it NOW.

My voice You shall hear in the morning, O LORD; In the morning I will direct it to You, And I will look up. (Psalm 5.3, NKJV)

Peter and the other disciple left immediately for the tomb. They ran, neck and neck. The other disciple got to the tomb first, outrunning Peter. (John 20.3, 4, MSG)