At that time there was a man in Jerusalem named Simeon. He was righteous and devout and was eagerly waiting for the Messiah to come and rescue Israel. The Holy Spirit was upon him and had revealed to him that he would not die until he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. That day the Spirit led him to the Temple. (Luke 2:25-27a NLT)
Jophiel, an angel in my novel, Denial of the Enemy, helped my leading lady, Riyel. He fixed a plumbing leak and the resulting mess, playing a part in her redemption. God sent an angel because Riyel had no one in her life who followed God. Angels serve God with excitement, worshiping and helping those who will receive salvation. Jophiel was more thrilled to meet Riyel than Jessica Alba because God asked him to take part in Riyel’s redemption.
Mary and Joseph were young teenagers, so God needed one like an angel to introduce Baby Jesus at the temple. God chose his faithful servant, Simeon, and told him he wouldn’t die until he saw the Messiah. Eager to help, Simeon prepared for the moment the Holy Spirit urged him to the temple. Can you imagine how excited Simeon was to hold Baby Jesus and present him as the world’s Redeemer?
Do we serve God with excitement, worship, preparation, and assistance?
I believe that God wants us all to be his shepherds and teach, with joy, the word of the Lord and Jesus Christ. Some people are very good at that but others are more quiet about their beliefs. Perhaps they believe that their thoughts are personal and private. I feel that I have met both types of people. Some people that I have met are almost boastful and loud about their feelings. They believe that their way of thinking is the only way and any other opinions do not mater or have no validation. Look at the Methodist Church at the moment. They are ready to split apart because one side believes that Gay people are children of God. The other side believes that they are not Christians according to what the Bible says, and should be excluded from the church.
People who share their faith need to be loving like angels. In my mind there is no question that Gay people are children of God. I feel that people who aren’t attracted to the opposite sex, like Paul, were crafted by God especially to serve Him. Everyone sins and God forgives, but people who sin openly day after day, no matter what the sin is, do not make effective leaders.