Hey All ~
Its not like their assistants could just pick up the phone and call the travel agent to book their trip. In fact they didn’t even have the convenience of a phone or an airport. They only possessed a hunch…and lots of power to act upon it. They gathered their resources and made the arrangements; all the while looking up each night to make sure that star was not some crazy figment of their imagination.
The hired guides mapped out the safest route. Moving high profile men through the desert with minimal protection proved to be no small feat. This gig could be the big brake these escorts have been looking for! Imagine the business they’d pick up if all went well…then again, one little misstep and they wouldn’t have to worry their little turban heads about where their next job would come from. They probably won’t even have a head to worry about! The royal chefs and bakers whipped up some of their respective king’s favorite comfort foods. The members of the entourage kissed their loved ones good- bye as the date for departure arrived. And the gift…yeah, the gift…what to bring the newborn king? Each wise man secured the exquisite gift they chose and delivered it to the hands of their most trusted servant.
After days of grueling journey, they found themselves in the outskirts of a humble village. The night sky seemed black as midnight with the exception of a single starry diamond illuminating planet earth. Tonight felt different. Maybe this would be the day all of their effort and sacrifice would be worth it. Perhaps this would be the night they could find the king they had come so far to honor. Suddenly the head guide shouted, “Hold up everyone.” The command passed back through the group and the camels slowed, circling the area. “This is it! ”
The Wise men looked around and then glanced at each other with a raised eyebrow and repeated, “This is it? This? Are you certain?” One could almost hear the dust mites in their snug dirt huts as everyone held their breath for the confirmation. The guides hopped off their beasts, spread out the map holding the torch close enough to see. Instinctively the head guide looked up to the heavenly marker as the rest of the group followed suit. “Yep. No mistake folks. This is it!”
This…is it? This is the chosen destination?
The countless hours, the manpower and the risk lead us to “this”? I honestly don’t know what the Wise men expected, but I think it’s pretty safe to say they didn’t exactly expect “this”. Were they expecting to be greeted and courted to a fine feast and luxurious accommodations? After all they had sacrificed to make the journey, it hardly seems an unreasonable wish. While we don’t know all that happened, we do know they didn’t let the “this” in their life stop them from giving their very best. We know they didn’t turn around in a huff and go home. We know they found the Christ Child and offered their very best; gold, frankincense and myrrh.
Can you relate? You’ve had times you’ve given and sacrificed. And although you don’t really say it out loud, deep in your heart you wish God had something better up his sleeve for you; a better role, a more exciting task, a greater influence, a prettier spot, a better salary, a happier marriage or even just a husband! But you find yourself with wrinkled forehead as you ask, “This is it?”
May the example of the Wise men encourage us not to hold back our best when our “this” is not what we expected. What I love about this thought is that the Wise men understood the gift for Jesus would mean the same to Him in “this” spot as in the one they had imagined. So it is with us. Don’t hold back for a better day or a better “this”. Give Him your all in “this” place today!
Merry Christmas everyone! As you give and receive gifts this year, let them each be a humble token of the greatest gift ever given.
Hope & Glory to You!
Rebecca
