Happy New Year, my dear friends! 2009...oh, my! The beginning of a new year...and with that, I've started my list of "expectations" for this next year. My list has several things I'd like to accomplish this new year...things that are most attainable and most will help me focus more on my Savior. Let me share just a couple of them with you...
Yesterday my favorite pastor shared a message on the wise men and the good examples they are for us in 2009! As a child, the lengthy journey of the wise men was a very special part of the Christmas story. (Does anyone remember the musical "Amal and the Night Visitors" that was an annual special on television? It was a favorite of mine!) They indeed were diligent in their travels...they came seeking the Child...they were seeking the Truth. They had traveled for thousands of miles to find "this one who has been born King of the Jews". They didn't expect God to come looking for them...to prove who He was...they were indeed "wise" as they were seeking Jesus. The chief priests and teachers of the law in that day were well aware of prophecies of ruler to be born in Bethlehem..they were well aware of the promised Messiah (Micah 5:2), but were not searching for the Truth.
These wise men also showed us worship. The Magi came with their expensive gifts - gifts which would be worthy of a King - and they were overjoyed when they say the child (oh, I can almost see them dancing around!) BUT then they bowed down and WORSHIPED! They were willing to give him what was valuable to them...gifts of gold, of frankincense and myrrh. Oh, my friends, Jesus is worthy of the best we have to give when we come to worship! I want to worship Him with my very best...
But as I studied that passage of Scripture, there was one last thought which I wanted to share with you. I determined that I want to be as responsive to God's leading as the wise men where...they were warned in a dream not to go back to Herod and returned home another route. They recognized the Lord's leading and they obeyed without any questioning. This next year, I want to walk in such close communion with Him - not only in the major decisions of life but in the day to day choices that I find myself making - that when decisions or choices come, there is no hesitation but a certainty of knowing what the heart of God is in the matter and to know His peace....
A new year is here and I'm excited. What are your expectations for 2009?
