Look, I bring you good news of great joy for ALL people.

Christmas Day will have come and gone by the time our next devotion comes out, so I wish each one of you a very merry Christmas. It’s timely that our next way to hear God’s voice, based on the book “Whisper” by Mark Batterson, is through people.

It is no accident, I believe that there are people in our lives that speak truth to you and God’s will for your life. Some people are very aware of God’s spirit and its movements. They are observant of others and can easily notice gifts and graces the world might ignore or see as unimportant.

God used the Angel Gabriel to speak into Mary’s life, the shepherds to witness to Jesus’ glory, and the wise men to tell who he was going to grow up to be. The hope of the world, the peace that surpasses all understanding, the good news of great joy for all people, the King, the Savior, the Messiah … the Lord!

Just as people spoke to Jesus’ greatness, so too there are people who speak to our potential in God as well. They see things in us we can’t see in ourselves. They believe in us for no other reason than they feel God has asked them to do so. There are people in our lives that have strengthened us, motivated us, and loved us along the way in our lives. And because of them, we are who we are today; partly due to them.

It is my hope that as we experience Jesus born into the world, and specifically into our lives again this year — we will reflect and remember the people who have offered God’s guidance over the years. Those who have spoken words of life into our very lives. Those who have caused us, like Mary, to treasure “these things” in our hearts.

God could even be using YOU to bring some good news of great joy into the world. Listen closely so you don’t miss the opportunity to be a blessing that could blossom in someone else’s life.

I know, I know — not speaking to “little old me,” right? I’m sure the shepherds and those outcast disciples would have never thought it either. And look … all they did was witness to the One who changed the world … forever!

Tim Beck is pastor of Kenbridge United Methodist Church. His email address is revtimbeck@ gmail.com.