When I was a kid my cousins and I would go camping up in Indiana. A lonesome train whistle could often be heard in the distance as we lay there in our sleeping bags peering up at the stars that twinkled through the trees. I always wanted to be up there with the stars in the sky and wondered what it would be like to shine so brightly. Such are the musings of a little dreamy kid.
The second way that we are a part of this story of the Magi is that we can testify to the fact that a king has indeed come–Jesus! Just like the Magi, these wise men from the East who had been given the knowledge of Jesus, our King and Messiah, and who traveled from afar to praise and to worship Him, we too, in our travels of life, praise and worship the God most high–Jesus our savior and Messiah!
We testify to the truths of Jesus in our lives each and every day on this journey as we go through life toward an eternity with the Father–with Jesus Himself, our King and redeemer. As we read the Holy Scriptures as we listen to the voice of God in our hearts, as we live this life with Jesus here on earth, in a way, we are transformed into that star that the Magi followed.
Matthew 5:14-16 [TNIV, Jesus speaking]
14 “You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
Be a star! Here are a few things that you can do to be that light in the sky that leads directly to Jesus:
1. Sharing what Jesus is doing in life with others around you. Just being real and not hiding His presence in your life.
2. Not going along with the crowd just to fit in but seek always to do what is right and kind.
3. Learn to forgive and extend grace.
4. Show compassion and empathy for the needs of others.
5. Don’t allow sin in your life to dim your light or your witness for Jesus.
These are just a few, there are many more. Indeed, WE are the light of the world! As we live in Christ, like that star, we point to Jesus! We point to our Savior! We point to the Messiah!
May you be the star, a bright light in a dark sky, that points to Jesus!