Joe the Shepherd
Luke 2:8
“There were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night.” (NIV)
Joe the Plumber was the folk hero of the 2008 Presidential Campaign. He was a down-to-earth hardworking Ohio plumber who wanted to make-it on his own without a bathtub of new taxes.
I liked Joe the Plumber for the simple reason he was a small business owner. My Dad ran his own business. He worked hard, took risks, and eventually made a good go at it, but it wasn’t easy.
Shepherds did not have an easy job. The worked long days and nights for little pay. They were ordinary Joe’s wanting to make a living.
All the people in Luke’s birth narrative are ordinary Joe’s. God used them do accomplish His work. Jesus spent most of his time with ordinary Joe’s.
Too many Christians act as if God only works through holier-than-thou folk. God avoids these types. Jesus did not enjoy hanging out with them. The church would be better off if it had more ordinary Joe’s and fewer sanctimonious Sam’s.
God works through ordinary Joe’s and Jane’s, down-to-earth types, because it is easier for them to get on their knees.
Every once in a while I will get on my high horse and head off for a grand ride, but at the end of the day, I realize that my ride did nothing to honor God, to serve Him, or to worship Him. When I am on a ego kick, I dishonor God.
God could have sent an angel to the religious elite to tell them His great news of Jesus’ birth, but He didn’t. God uses people who know how to bend their knees.
I am confidant that the shepherds did not have problems bowing at the manger. Ordinary Joe’s are always humbled when in the presence of God.
Prayer: Lord God, bend my heart and bend my knees in service and worship to You during this holy season. Amen.
Bread Crumbs - Devotions for Life 
The CEO’S Take credit for corporate profits, while the “army” of workers put the quality into the product that satisfy’s the buyer. Yet when it comes to cutting back, the worker is asked to be loyal and take a pay cut to save the company, while the top management has more than they can say grace over. The Shepherds were loyal to their flocks and the flock obayed their master.
I had another a good morning. I cleaned the snow for two neighbors and now I will do mine last for I have the time being retired.