"Star Struck"

"And behold wise men from the East came to Jerusalem saying, "Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him."

Matt 2:2

One night a little over 2000 years ago, something out of the ordinary took place. Historically, it has been recorded that there was a very bright star shining in the sky that could be seen from all directions. It guided travelers to the place where Jesus, The Son of God was born. Illuminating the stable, they came to see baby Jesus bearing gifts and offering worship to their newborn King.

It is obvious that they never would have been able to find The Savior had it not been for the star. Over the centuries scientists have tried to offer explanation for this "phenomenon," but the truth is God provided a very special light for that very special night. Those who came were "star struck" in awe and great wonder—we can only imagine what it was like.

It seems that those of us who desire to find and worship Jesus at times find ourselves star stricken as well. We may not realize it or admit it, but it is the truth. We go to places of worship, but it is not our Savior and Lord who has our attention.

I live in Nashville, Tennessee, the home of country music but also a place where many of the Christian music artists have laid down their roots. The performers have to have somewhere to go to church, and so they find their place in the Christian community. Most of the time they do not draw attention to themselves, but there are some people who have their attention fixed on them—that goes for athletes as well and all of those who stand out in society because of some achievement or profession.

No one cares to admit it, but there are some who attend certain churches just because this person or that person is a member there. Or they travel to certain places to see certain ministers that they are stricken by and believe they have something special from Jesus just for them. Jesus is powerful enough to do His own work…He does not require the help of man.

Christian television has done nothing to help us in our focus. There is a ladder of success that is very obvious, and once again we find ourselves "star struck." We have to see this preacher or that preacher. We cannot watch this one or that one…and we find that we are making book on what they say to us rather than reading the Book to find out for ourselves.

We will never experience a star like the one that shone on the night that Jesus was born. But there will be many times when we will see "stars" of some kind, and we will have to make the decision to either follow and worship them or follow the leading of the Holy Spirit and worship only Jesus. For some of us that is no problem. Others of us will have to choose. May I encourage you to choose Jesus? You will not be "star struck" by Him, but I can guarantee that you will stand in awe of Him all the days of your life.

Prayer:

Father we are so blessed by the story of the birth of Your Son. You did spectacular things to welcome Him into this world. Bright stars, angelic hosts...though He was not recognized and honored by many You did draw kings and shepherds to Him. What a night that must have been. 

We have a bad habit Father of sensationalizing everything and we go looking for "bright stars" that we find ourselves stricken by. Unfortunately in our quest we stop thinking and focusing upon You.

Please help us to esteem and appreciate those in our society and in our lives that deserve it but let us NEVER be star struck again. Instead let a new sense of awe and wonder come over us as we draw nigh to You.

 

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