My question of course says more about me than this young man, who, BTW, has been successfully employed in the film industry since his freshman year in college. He is very talented (that, I never doubted) in the technical area of sound and is gleefully following his star.
Yet, we all know that all stars don't lead us down the path to success....or happiness....or riches....or love...whatever you are trying to achieve. Any of us who have followed our GPS into cul-de-sacs or unpaved roads know how sketchy some 'star positioning' can be. The Bible story in the gospel of Matthew about the Magi who came to see Jesus is a story about some guys who followed a star - literally - to find the child about whose birth it foretold. I've always wondered why. Why set out to find this child? Why risk the dangers of the journey?
These magi were not Jewish, didn't live in Palestine, and, apparently, had nothing to gain from locating and honoring this child. I can't figure out their motivation. Regardless, they went into unknown territory to an unknown outcome. They are one more example of folks who are called by the Divine into action, and who listen to the call.
This story always comes to us in the church at the beginning of a new calendar year. It is a time of New Year's resolutions - a time to look over the past 12 months and think about the next 12. We re-evaluate what has worked for us, and what we may need to do to get a different outcome in the next year. Perhaps it won't be as significant as a star in the sky, but we put our goals out there to follow.
The magi followed a star to find a king.
What star are you following and what do you hope to find? Where is God calling you in 2017?
Give some thought to this question, and write down what you are thinking. . Tuck it away to be reviewed and revised periodically. Revise as needed
Then go and water your camel; it's time to get up and get moving. God is calling you into action for the sake of your neighbor....and the world.
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