Not Driving Part VI—“Love”

“Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy, for ALL people”. Luke

We are almost there.  I am not sure which day I love most, today or tomorrow.  As I think about it I choose… BOTH!!!

Tonight we get to imagine once again sitting around a campfire, with the sheep all bedded down.  They are making occasional sheep sounds; like baaah, and buurrr.  The shepherds are telling jokes, perhaps aiming them at the occupying Roman Army, or the corrupt and crazy leader in Jerusalem (we get it).  It was just another night, nothing special when WOW angels and light!!! As Eugene Peterson says in his Biblical paraphrase, “And the shepherds let loose”!  Today is not just a time for bucolic sweetness, but a time to say “Wow, Whoopee, Oh My, How can this be”?

Joy—is what happens when we are filled with gratitude. Luke is very clear about ONE thing: this Gospel is for everyone, all, the whole wide world.  Jesus did not come for the church.  He came for the world. The reality might be, that it is the nature of God to love us, not because of what we do, but who we are. This is the Good News (Gospel)!!!

LOVE—In Luke’s telling of this story this news comes first to those who live and work out on the edges.  Love is not just for a select few, the privileged, or educated.  Jesus does not belong to a religion, or a political party. His message: that God loves the whole world, and that the Kingdom of God is here and now. This story begins with an ‘unwed mother’ (Mary), her support team of 1 (Joseph), and some guys who smell like sheep 🐑. 

My two years of driving for LYFT have been a gift.  It has put me on the streets, where I get to meet the World that God loves. 

Onward and Upward,

Mark