Matthew 2:10 When they saw the star, they were overjoyed.

For a believing person, there are few things, if any, more deeply joyful and satisfying than having clear confirmation they have heard and obeyed the Lord correctly. This particular verse is for many people their favorite out of the whole Christmas narrative, and as such it has of course been set to music (in a different translation). A little reflection will show the depth of the magi’s faith, because they had gone to considerable expense of time and money, not to mention personal risk, in order to be obedient to what they thought God was saying. Getting word from Herod that there was indeed prophecy of a divine ruler being born in Bethlehem doubtless whet their appetites for the confirmation and fulfillment they were now experiencing. That made them all the more sensitive to listen to God and be obedient, as they were in avoiding Herod on their return trip. One wonders how old they were, and how long they lived after this, because it was doubtless the high point of their whole lives. They had fulfilled their function, which was to make a powerful prophetic statement, and in the process finance the Holy Family’s escape into Egypt.

I certainly don’t expect to play such a dramatic roll in history, but I am to be no less faithful and obedient than the magi. God has used me in various ways and will continue to do so as long as He keeps me here, and it’s not my place to dictate to Him how that will be. Daily I recognize how He touches people through me. I am to take no personal pride in that, but rather grateful satisfaction. It is indeed deeply fulfilling to be God’s instrument! As a pastor, I know that one thing He wants to do through me is to bring others into the desire and expectation of being used by God themselves. Growing up in the environment I did, and then seeing what God has done with me in spite of my weaknesses and failings, it is somewhat amazing to me that so many people seem convinced that God could never use them. It is a sign of true craftsmanship to be able to take the weak and worthless and ugly and turn it into something useful and valuable and beautiful, and God is the ultimate Craftsman! I need to help people see and understand that rather basic, but certainly glorious, truth.

Father, thank You for having us notified yesterday of the passing of one of Your faithful servants, and for arranging that we in turn were able to get that information to others who needed to know. Thank You that I could go to the wake and speak blessing to his sons. May I be an instrument of comfort and encouragement to many, as Pastor Nakamura was, as his sons shared so movingly. Thank You also for being able to grade the exams I gave on Friday. That’s touching people in a very different way! Help me be faithful however You want to use me, always speaking the truth in love, whether it seems “religious” or not, so that Your will may be done on Your schedule for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!