JOURNEY TO YOUR STAR
By CHERYL CRUCE
On Jan. 8th, the church celebrated Epiphany Sunday, the day when the Magi followed the star of Bethlehem. There are many messages about the Magi (Wisemen) and the gifts they brought. Many sermons cover the horror of Herod’s slaughter of the innocent after his encounter with the Magi from the east.
Even though these are essential homilies, they cannot overshadow the journey to find the King of the Jews. Nor can we neglect the Magi’s journey when they returned home.
The Magi were seekers, looking beyond their existence for something more significant than themselves. The vision of the star stirred the depths of their soul, causing them to travel 1,400 miles seeking its purpose. Scripture teaches that their journey ended at the home of Joseph and Mary. Upon seeing the child, Jesus, they fell before the Lord and presented Him gifts of frankincense, myrrh, and gold. Then, being instructed in a dream, the travelers returned home by a different route.
I witnessed my “epiphany star” at the age of 8. Granted, I did not make a 1,400-mile journey; nonetheless, the distance from the pew to the altar seemed miles away.
At that moment, I encountered Jesus as the pastor prayed for me. Even though I did not understand the magnitude of my decision, I knew I felt God’s call on my life.
Early in my faith walk, I greatly desired to preach the Word of God. However, I could not see myself as a pastor due to the teachings of my youth. The church of my childhood strongly believed that the men were the decision-makers in the church while the women remained silent. Because of this, I suppressed any yearning I might have had.
It wasn’t until my walk through cancer that I felt the fullness of Christ’s love and the meaning of my epiphany. His healing touch re-defined me as His, erasing all doubt I might have experienced. Something about being helplessly in His care brought me full circle to my life’s purpose. I had followed the star; it was now time to follow the one beneath the star.
The journey of the Magi is intriguing, for it is a journey we all must take. At some point in each life, there is a revelation of the birth and redemptive power of Jesus. The choice belongs to the individual. Do you follow the star or gaze at it from a distance? If you choose to follow, know that whether you turn to the left or right, you will hear a voice behind you saying, “This is the way; walk in it (Isaiah 30:21).”
The world’s rulers and naysayers will attempt to sway you from your journey. However, the Lord has called us out of the darkness and into a Holy life. This is not because of any acts on our part but because of His purpose and grace (2 Timothy 1:10). The wise men did not stay beneath the star; they grasped what they had received within their hearts and journeyed on, following the instructions of God.
I encourage you to seek out the Lord as the Magi did, find the grace beneath your star, and walk in the teachings of the Lord as He redefines you as His.
Matthew 2:11-12 Entering the house where the baby and Mary, his mother, were, they threw themselves down before him, worshiping. Then they opened their presents and gave him gold, frankincense, and myrrh. But when they returned to their land, they didn’t go through Jerusalem to report to Herod, for God had warned them in a dream to go home another way.
Cheryl Mixon-Cruce is Pastor of Ochlockonee Bay United Methodist Church and Sopchoppy United Methodist Church.
This is a repeat of a column that appeared in August.