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| |  | Michael Fox CPCC,
founder of m·agine!,
is a professional
coach and trainer,
author and creative artist, whose work has been featured throughout
the world.
Michael is a
Certified Practitioner
of the
Myers-Briggs
Type Indicator.®
Do you know someone
who might benefit
from our weekly email?
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What does it take
to astonish an angel?
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And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests" (Luke 2:8-14).
It's difficult to imagine the grandeur of the angelic host filling the night with wonder and worship. But then it's difficult to get our arms around the prompt of the angels' wonder and worship at the birth of the Redeemer.
We have a number of misconceptions about angels. We tend to confer qualities of God upon them. Angels, however, are neither omnipotent, nor omniscient, nor omnipresent. Like men, angels were created by God. (Genesis 2:1; Nehemiah 9:6; Colossians 1:16) Like men, angels can be tempted to rebellion. (In fact, scripture suggests that angels' behavior can be influenced by humankind--argh!; 1 Corinthians 11:10; Ephesians 3:10.) But, unlike men, when a host of angels--long before the fall of man--rebelled against God, they were not afforded an opportunity for redemption; God, instead, "delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment" (2 Peter 2:4; cf. also Jude 6).
Imagine, then, the dismay of the faithful angels when they witnessed the first couple's transgression in the Garden. They had no reason to anticipate that God would react any differently than he did when their own fell, an event still fresh in their minds. How surprised the heavenly host must have been when God, instead, hinted of a Redeemer (Genesis 3:15). How astonished they must have been when, year after year, God patiently endured mankind's iniquity and offered hints of redemption through the prophets.
The apostle Peter testified of the curiosity--and more--of the angels around the unfolding story of redemption:
Concerning this salvation, the prophets, who spoke of the grace that was to come to you, searched intently and with the greatest care, trying to find out the time and circumstances to which the Spirit of Christ in them was pointing when he predicted the sufferings of the Messiah and the glories that would follow. It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves but you, when they spoke of the things that have now been told you by those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. Even angels long to look into these things (1 Peter 1:10-12).
There are two revealing words used in the last phrase of this quotation. The first is the word "long," translated from the Greek epithumeo, meaning "to desire earnestly." The same word is translated elsewhere in the New Testament as "covet." The other is the word "look," translated from the Greek word parakupto; parakupto is an expressive word that is elsewhere translated as "stooping and looking in" (Luke 24:12).
Little wonder then that the angels--astonished, filled with curiosity and even a sense of envy--welcomed the birth of the Redeemer with such adoration: "Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests."
"When I look at the night sky and see the work of your fingers--the moon and the stars you set in place--what are mere mortals that you should think about them, human beings that you should care for them?" (Psalm 8:3-4)
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Michael Fox
m·agine!
530/613.2774
407 Myrtle Drive
Farmerville, LA, USA 71241 |
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In addition to personal and professional coaching,
m·agine! specializes in spiritual transformation coaching,
employing its proprietary models
--Values, Vision, Voice and Heart, Soul, Mind & Strength--
as well as
Myers-Briggs Type Indicator® curriculum
published by CPP, the People Development People.
Michael's books include
Complete in Christ,
Complete in Christ Spiritual Transformation Workbook,
and Biblio·files.
Coaching fees are based upon a sliding scale. Contact us for details.
For additional information, visit our website at maginethepossibilities.net.
Limited scholarships are available for spiritual transformation coaching.
On the flip side, if you are able, please inquire about opportunities
to fund scholarships for those who cannot afford coaching fees.
View our archives!
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