One of my abiding memories of childhood is singing We Three Kings. Nativity plays have the Wise Men (or Kings…you choose) arriving at the time of Jesus’ birth, whereas Matthew’s Gospel says they visited Jesus in a house, not a stable.
It’s always struck me that, whatever the truth behind the Wise Men’s story, they travelled an awfully long way based on faith, led by a perfect light. They brought gifts to celebrate the Messiah’s birth. Gold for a King, Frankincense for prayers offered to God, and Myrrh in recognition that Jesus would only truly come into his inheritance after he was raised from the dead. These men were willing to put everything on the line to witness the birth of God become man, probably against their better judgement. It’s a form of Wisdom not often seen, where everything tells you not to do it, and yet you follow God’s plan for your life instead.
One of the hardest things for anyone with a public ministry is discerning where God wants you to be, what He wants you to be doing, and how you need to go about it. Ministry is almost Incarnational in nature, where Vocations are constantly changing and developing, just as God changed when He became man in the form of Jesus Christ. For those who perform a public ministry within the Church this can be difficult, as God’s plan often demands they move on to the next phase before they’ve even begun to make a difference (at least in their eyes). Or worse yet, they make changes to things that have ‘always been.’ I have known several ministers who seem to flit from one place or project to the next, hardly taking the time to settle down before they’re off on the next stage. Or they make constant changes to worship, liturgies and local traditions. Yet in realty each change leaves a legacy behind which we can hold on to, just as Jesus left a lasting legacy following his very public (and rather short) ministry on earth.
But just as Jesus’ moving on to the next phase was difficult (to say the least) so it is for those who find God telling them to move, or make changes to established patterns and traditions. Can you imagine the pain of saying goodbye, again and again? Of seeing the hurt and disappointment in the eyes of those you care and pray for daily? Of seeing anger in the eyes of those who desire nothing more than the familiar when changes arise? Ministry can be a lonely life, particularly when the Minister believes they are following God’s plan and all they do is out of love for God and His Church. But ministry is, for all its ups and downs, a joyful one, because we get to share the Good News of Jesus. A Good News which started when the Word became flesh on Christmas day. Just like the Wise Men, our journey’s may be long and arduous, but when we reach our journeys end we are rewarded with a gift surpassing anything we could ever imagine. It just needs a little faith. Why am I telling you this? Because all the pain and hurt we may feel, or witness is nothing compared to the pain God felt at being rejected by His people…who He loved and cared for. A pain so intense He sent His Son to change the world forever, so we might receive His peace and grace.
I pray this Christmas brings you closer to each other and to God…
with every blessing…
Rev Paul
