Directional Signals

 

After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him.”

—Matthew 2:1-2

Consider all the “directional signals” surrounding the birth of Jesus. The phenomena of angel who came to Mary, to Zechariah, to Joseph, to the Magi, and the host of angels who serenaded the shepherds. This phenomenal “happening”—the entering of our physical world by these divine Beings—demanded unusual attention to their guidance for the main characters of the story.

Then, we read of the astronomical sign of the unusual star—or merging of several planetary objects—that “led” the Magi to the vicinity of Jerusalem around the time of Jesus’ birth. This spectacle in the sky signaled to the Gentile world that God was entering earth in wonder and amazement.

But, what of divine direction for us in our ordinary lives in the 21st century? Rarely do we ever hear of such spectacular signs and directions. Does God still guide? How should we decipher His ways for us?

It seems to me that, for those to whom God appeared in miraculous events, He had already prepared by giving them humble and watchful hearts. They awaited His coming. They watched for signs. And, they prayed for their world. These ordinary men and women gladly obeyed the signs they believed to have come to them through the Holy Spirit, no matter the sacrifice and personal pain that their obedience would cause.

We not only have the Scriptures known to the people of that time, we also have the written Word given by the Holy Spirit in the New Testament, as well. God still speaks to us through His written Word. He does not speak through magic, or some kind of spiritual voodoo. Yet, we can clearly perceive His direction in His written Word, as we follow and obey this Word day by day.

God also speaks to us through circumstances, sometimes obviously and, at other times, hidden from our consciousness. Sometimes God guides through the words or actions of dear fellow Christians. At still other times, God gives direction in unique ways through the actions and words of ungodly people—remember how the Magi learned from the words of King Herod.

We know that God still wishes to direct His people. As we stay close to Him in prayer and in faithfulness to His sacraments and holy worship, He continues to guide His searching people on their way through this difficult life. He wishes us to see His directional signals, to trust Him, even when we can’t see ahead. And, He delights to have us follow the admonition of Proverbs 3:5,6:

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will direct your paths.