Sunday Devotion

Welcome to the Sunday Devotion.  Are you a stargazer? I was disappointed last night that it was raining. I was hoping for a clear night where I could view the stars. The rain was intermittent, but it was just enough to keep me inside, stars or no stars.  I’ve been thinking about the star that shown so bright at Jesus’ birth. So bright that men could use it to navigate their way to Jesus. If there were no star – how would they have found Jesus? We don’t have that particular star, so how do we find Jesus?

What shines bright in your life? What person or event has been an important part of your journey to Jesus?

I look back I have to place my parents as the star. For them, going to church was important and we went every Sunday. But my parents didn’t only take me to church, they were part of church. My father was the Christian Education Leader. My mom was an active behind-the-scenes person, offering her time and support to the church events. The scripture that defines my mom is “Feed my sheep”. Our home was a meeting place for church outdoor dinners and get-togethers. Church was established as an important way of life. My parents were my star. Who was yours?

Is there an event in your life that was life-changing that led you to Jesus? I know there have been several events that have shone brightly for me. My introduction to Community of Christ has had a significant, over-the-top influence. I found Community of Christ as a teenager when dating my boyfriend, now husband. Within that body of people, I found an exercise of faith that was astounding. People shared their faith so personally. People from all walks of life taught classes, gave sermons, and shared personal testimonies where they saw the hand of God and the Holy Spirit active in their daily lives. It was those testimonies that changed the way I looked at my life. They helped me see God in my every day. And those testimonies were stars leading me to Jesus.

I also label God as a star. God led me to Jesus and leads me today. It is through God’s word. It is through God’s strength and comfort where I lay my head. It is His hand that guides me and holds me up. It is His patience, and it is His grace. It is His overwhelming love for all people. I will stop in a crowd and look around and my mind explodes as I realize anew that God loves each and every person that I see. I don’t know all these people. There are so many strangers, and God loves them all and walks amongst them. God leads me to Jesus.

How has God been a leading star for you? What events or people have been instruments of God’s heart and hands in your life? Whoever, whatever and wherever your star has been, keep your eyes on that star. There was only one star that led the shepherds and the wise men to Jesus. We have many stars. May those stars shine bright in your heart, mind and soul every day and lead you on. And may you be that shining star that illumines another person’s path to Jesus.

Amen.

Author: Bonnie Barber, Co-Pastor, Washington DC Community of Christ