A Star is Guiding Us

Mat 2:9-11 NLT - [9] After this interview the wise men went their way. Once again the star appeared to them, guiding them to Bethlehem. It went ahead of them and stopped over the place where the child was. [10] When they saw the star, they were filled with joy! [11] They entered the house where the child and his mother, Mary, were, and they fell down before him and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasure chests and gave him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

In this digital age where bits and bytes are bountiful, one of the most useful inventions has been the GPS(Global Positioning System). Originally developed for the Army during Desert Storm, the GPS has become a household name, guiding travelers all over this vast country of ours. After having just moved into Birmingham, I’ve found this little device to be one of the most useful pieces of technology I have. Today I made a wrong turn and got lost. All I had to do to get back on track was press “Home,” and listen to the device tell me which way to turn and what street to turn.

It’s nice having someone to guide you. I’m sure glad our Heavenly Father decided to guide us. Surely the prophet Isaiah was correct when he prophesied that “the people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned” (Isaiah 9.2). Like lost sheep, we have received the salvation through our Lord, Jesus Christ. This season we celebrate His entrance into that world. His entrance marks the beginning of an eternal age, an age where “God and sinner are reconciled” (Hark the Harold Angels Sing). It is truly an age where we are guided daily by the hand of a living God.

The wise men certainly experienced the Lord’s hand upon them. Through their coming, they perhaps delayed Herod long enough for Joseph, Mary, and the Christ-Child to escape to Egypt. You see, God has a plan for us. He guides us to accomplish His will in us. His purposes are our primary reason for being here on this earth. Yes, each one of us has been assigned a special task by our Creator: a purpose for which we can only imagine. Like the wisemen, a star is guiding us. The star of the Holy Spirit is upon our vision. We can see it from afar, burning brightly often, and dimly at other times, but always there. If we will only follow the star, our Lord can have His way: we can awake each day knowing that He is accomplishing His Holy plan through each of us. The plan extends from the wise men to us today. Will you be a part of it? Amen.

With love in Christ,

Austin Aldrich