Wise Men Still Seek Him

 "Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, 'This is the way; walk in it.'" Isaiah 30:21

    Walking on a windowsill at my sister's home are three wise men perched upon their camels. Though they are faded and aged, they doggedly follow the star, year after year. These three had belonged to our parents and, though they didn't match the manger scene, we girls loved them best because of the one's malady: his camel had a wooden leg. At some point in time, this poor dromedary lost his limb but Dad repaired it with a match stick.

    To me, this has become a symbol of the frailty of man and the exhaustive journey of life as we follow the star to Jesus. Our once vibrant bloom pales, the petals of youth flutter downward as we fade with age. We may, in exhaustion, fall from the saddle, slipping from our mount, but we get back on because we have the hope of salvation. We pick up our cross daily and follow Him. When we, at times, feel like Elijah beneath the broom bush of discouragement, God sends an angel with the Bread of heaven and the Water of life to keep us going. Follow the star!

    When, at the end of our journey, the star stops, we will bow to the ground and worship Him. It will all be worth it in spite of (and because of) the brokenness along the way. When our weary eyes behold the Savior of the world sitting at the right hand of God, the Father, we will lay our treasures at His pierced feet in humble gratitude and victory. 

    We made it! We are home!

"So take joy in the journey, even when it feels long;

Oh, find strength in each step, knowing Heaven is cheering you on.

We are almost home, brother, it won't be long;

Soon all your burdens will be gone.

With all your strength, sister, run wild, run free,

Hold up your head, keep pressing on, we are almost home!"

Almost Home, by MercyMe

"After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the Child was. When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the Child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped Him. Then they opened their treasures and presented Him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh." Matthew 2:9-11