As the shepherd’s watched their sheep, an angel appeared and said, “Don’t be afraid,” and told them that the Savior, Christ the Lord was born. The Jewish people had longed for the Savior to appear, so this was big news for the lowly shepherds.

As if to reassure them it was true, the angel continued, “And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger” (Lu. 2:11-12).

When God gives specific directions, it’s nice to have a sign to reassure us it’s God speaking.

However, the sign promised the shepherds wasn’t evident. They couldn’t see the baby in the manger until—and unless—they left their flocks in the field and went to Bethlehem. As they made that trip into town, I wonder if they thought about how foolish they would feel if they couldn’t find the stable or if there was no baby when they got there.

It took faith to look for the sign. But they went. They “came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger” (Lu. 2:16).

If they hadn’t responded in faith, they wouldn’t have been the first ones to greet the newborn King. We wouldn’t read and sing about them every year or dress our children in costumes to act out the scene.

We know about the shepherds because they had faith to act before they saw the sign.

Many years earlier, Moses found himself with a similar choice. Exodus 3 tells about God speaking to Moses from a burning bush and telling him to go to Egypt, confront Pharaoh, and bring the children out of Egypt. Moses balked.

In response, God said, “I will certainly be with you. And this shall be a sign to you that I have sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you shall serve God on this mountain” (Ex. 3:12).

Indeed, the day did come when Moses served the Lord on the mountain with all of Israel, but Moses met with great difficulties first.

Moses went through very difficult times between the time he heard God’s call and when he saw the confirming sign from God. The children of Israel murmured, complained, and blamed Moses, and Pharaoh refused to let them go.

Fortunately, Moses persevered through many obstacles, and eventually led Israel to freedom. In addition, his faith grew as he saw the power and the mighty acts of God. However, if he hadn’t trusted God, obeyed, and returned to Egypt, he would have remained a nobody in the desert, and Israel would be remained enslaved unless God called another deliverer.

Accounts of Moses and the shepherds lead me to wonder how much I miss seeing God’s salvation, because I wait for a sign before I take action.

“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen” (Heb. 11:1).

In the fall, I felt God was asking me to lead a weekly class that is totally outside my comfort zone, and it seems to me is beyond my ability. I drug my feet waiting for someone else to volunteer. Like Moses, came up with excuses and hoped for reprieve. But God didn’t release me. He burdened me by giving me hope for the future of people in a difficult place and convicted me that He chooses to use those who feel inadequate–like me.

I’m hanging in there and learning. Some weeks it’s exciting. Others, I feel like a failure. Meanwhile, I pray that seeds are being planted and we will see the might and power of God. In it all, I want to be faithful, even if I don’t see a sign from God.

I believe God’s call to action is often for small things, like calling to check on someone, taking a meal, confronting or encouraging someone, writing a note, praying, or lending a helping hand. If we all—as the body of Christ—do our little parts, we can make a big impact in bringing others the salvation of God available through Jesus Christ.

If we don’t step out, we won’t experience God’s grace and power. We may hear reports of Him working through others, but we will miss the action. However, if we move forward in faith, we can be part of what God is doing, and feel the joy and fulfillment of being used to establish His kingdom.

Sometimes it helps to have a sign that God is going to act before we commit, but sometimes we are required to move forward without a sign. Our assurance and conviction needs to be from confidence in God. He is with us and is always faithful. Knowing that, we can leave the results to Him. Meanwhile, we will be blessed and grow in our faith as we are available to Him.