“After hearing the king, they went on their way. And there it was—the star they had seen in the east! It led them until it came and stopped above the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were overjoyed beyond measure.” (Matthew 2:9–10, HCSB)
When they saw the star, they were overjoyed beyond measure. Servant leaders rejoice in the leading of God. They listen and observe, they watch and expect God to speak. When we are willing to work and serve Jesus, we know He intervenes, intercedes, and intertwines His life with ours.
What a wonderful life it is following Jesus. While many deride the idea of an invisible God, we serve at the pleasure of the One who is not silent, who is not invisible! Our King and Master works on our behalf. Where He sends us He provides for us.
We find that God gives us direction just as the wise men discovered. He gives success because it’s His mission just as the wise men saw the star they had seen in the East. As the leading of the star brought them to the baby Jesus, God will bring us to succeed as well.
No effort commanded by God will fall into failure if we serve Him faithfully and trust Him wholly. Life is filled with twists and turns, as the wise men discovered when they lost track of the star and stopped at King Herod’s to get directions. We often lose our way as well, wondering what to do or where to go next.
Then, as we step forward again, determined to find our way, to continue on God’s path, He steps in honoring our faith. Commitment to God’s mission for our lives is the evidence of a life of faith. For the wise men their mission was to discover the new King of Israel, Jesus the Messiah. Nothing would stop or hinder them in their quest. And, despite the long weeks and the terrors of the trip, they arrived in Bethlehem with their gifts of worship and adoration.
Today you have a mission to complete. It has to do with making disciples (Matthew 28:19-20). It also has to do with that unique design God has prefabricated in you. How will you weld these together with the guidance of the indwelling Spirit and the words of His revelation? That’s your mission! Don’t let anything stop you!
Willing Worker Wednesdays are dedicated to explaining the core realities of servant leadership – the Biblical principles and methods used by God’s faithful people throughout time. They further reflect the lifestyle of Jesus, the King of kings and Lord of lords as He walked on this earth announcing the Kingdom of God had arrived. These brief lessons are written by Dr. Matthew Lee Smith, Executive Director of Eagles In Leadership, and come from his extensive ministry within the local church, in higher education, in church consulting and as a Biblical author and leader. He welcomes your comments below.
