Christmas
Follow
THAT
by Mark Hisle
Star
VERY GOOD COP show He wants us to be. “The steps of a good often determines how much God can
E
inevitably has someone jump man are ordered by the Lord” (Psalm accomplish in our lives.
in the back of a taxi and 37:23). You won’t miss the address. God When the Magi reached their destina-
exclaim, “Follow that car.” A will fulfill His will for you. tion, they presented the gifts they had
high-speed chase ensues. But The wise men traveled a long way. brought. Isn’t that what following the star
have you ever heard anyone yell, “Follow Finding God’s presence requires a com- is really about? It isn’t just getting to the
that star”? The wise men trailed one. mitment to follow the star wherever it location I want to go to; it’s about what I
While their pursuit was only as speedy as leads. I have thought often of the ques- can give to others as a result of my jour-
camels will allow, their odyssey helps to tion posed to Rebekah when she was ney. In the Genesis account, the fulfill-
form a basic component of the Christmas asked to be Isaac’s wife: “Will you go ment of Joseph’s dream was not just
story (Matthew 2:1-12). with this man?” (Genesis 24:58, NKJV). about Joseph. It was about his being able
For centuries people have speculated Her willingness furthered not only her to serve more people than ever before.
about the nature of this special star. Some own destiny, but also the plan of God for When Jesus fed the 5,000 with a boy’s
think it was a convergence of Jupiter and the ages in a way far greater than she lunch, everybody else came for what they
Saturn. Others think it may have been a could comprehend at the time. could get. Only one little boy came for
supernova, Haley’s Comet, or some other Until it finally rested over Jesus’ resi- what he could give.
type of meteor. However, the odd nature dence, the Christmas star stayed on the At the end of the story, the Bible says
of its movement makes it difficult to move. That, of course, necessitated the the wise men “rejoiced with exceeding
explain. It moved, and then it stood still. movement of the wise men as well. great joy” (Matthew 2:10). There is a place
Some Bible scholars have suggested Some morning you may get up and of profound fulfillment occupied only by
that the wise men’s star was much like see that the star has moved. It may disori- those who follow the star. So what are we
the Israelites’ experience in the wilderness, ent you at first, because you thought you waiting for? We must determine to follow
with the pillar of fire by night and the pil- knew where the star was. Maybe you the star regardless of what who else around
lar of cloud by day, that it was the Shechi- even felt sure about the direction it was us does or does not do. It isn’t always the
nah glory, the manifest presence of God. headed. But maybe God moves the star easiest journey, but it is the most fulfilling
That star represented both the pres- sometimes just to keep you following and the one most pleasing to God.
ence and plan of God. As astrologers, the after Him. Much like the Israelites chas- Over what do you see His glory resting
Magi believed the star a person is born ing the pillars of cloud and fire, you have on your horizon? Follow that star. You’ll
under affects or determines that person’s to move with Him. There may be days be glad you did. It may not necessarily be
destiny. I am not advocating that we read when you don’t feel like moving, either a path to riches and fame, but it will be a
horoscopes or seek out psychics, but in a literally or figuratively. path to God.
real way these wise men were seeking A few years ago in the business world,
God’s will and purpose for their lives. a best-selling book came out called Who
Mark Hisle serves as pastor
If God can put a star in the heavens Moved My Cheese? It tells the story of two
of Parkway Praise Center
and guide pagan astrologers hundreds of mice in a maze, trying to deal with the
Church of God in London,
miles to the specific house where Jesus relocation of their cheese. We all feel like
Kentucky.
was, He can surely get you and me where that in life sometimes. Our response
EVANGEL • DEC 2008 7
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