Advent Daily Devotional - Day 18

Matthew 2:9 
"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." 
 
I passed my driving test in 1996. Between then and 2004 I had a big problem - I kept getting lost because of my very poor sense of direction. When you're a young man with no money, regularly putting 3-4 pounds of petrol in at a time, getting lost can be pretty stressful. 
 
However, in 2004 my world changed for the better when the sat nav came out :) I had something I could rely on which would guide me to where I needed to be. 
 
The Magi in the Christmas story had something a bit more awe-inspiring than the big chunky bit of plastic that sat on the dash of my Peugeot 306... 
 
They had a star. 
 
The star was a unique, supernatural sign designed to guide the wise men to Jesus. 
 
They had already been following this star until they got diverted (Matt 2:2). They were on a quest for meaning, truth and purpose when Herod called them to come and see him. 
 
Our journeys towards where we feel we’ll find meaning and purpose can get diverted sometimes too. For many years I felt God calling me towards ministry. But there were some times within those years when it felt like I was getting diverted further and further away. Life events and challenges were coming my way and it felt like the fuel in the tank was disappearing. 
 
However, although I wasn't able to see it at the time, when I look back I can see all those ‘diversions’ were part of God's plan. They were the places where he formed me, shaped me and my motivations, and then directed me to the next step. 
 
God was still faithful through it all. He was still guiding me to where I needed to go. He didn't do that with a star in the sky but through His word, through circumstances and through people, and through the peace of the Holy Spirit. 
 
Maybe on your journey of faith you feel like you've been diverted: like you've moved further away this year from the thing you felt God put in your heart to move closer towards. Further away from marriage, from having kids and financial security. Perhaps, further away from resolving a bad relationship or the job you wanted or the ministry you felt God was leading you to get involved with. 
 
God adjusts our paths when needed but His goals always remain the same: to grow us in our Love for Him and Our Love for People; To lead us to where Jesus is so we can join Him and fulfil His purpose for our lives.  

My encouragement is to keep trusting God and looking to discern where He is leading you next. We do this through staying in the Bible and in community. Through the guidance of His word, Christians and the Holy Spirit, He will keep leading you to where He wants to build His kingdom through you. 
 
Obedience to God’s direction requires faith. Even when we feel lost and don’t understand the full picture. Even when we are stressed out and feel like we are running out of petrol! 
 
Like the Magi, we have to keep being obedient and willing to trust Him step by step. (Proverbs 3:5-6). Keep your head up, looking to the God who Loves you and guides you.  

Questions… 

What area of your life do you need to trust in God for?  

How might you take a step of obedience to God through trust today? 

Today's devotional was written by Leon Johnson.