Looking For God, Not At Him

Matthew 2:9-11King James Version (KJV)

9 When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was.

10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.

11 And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense and myrrh.

The wise men, looking for the Child who's star they followed, came to Judea, made their way to Bethlehem and found the Child with his Mother.  They presented him with gifts and worshiped Him.  They were on a mission for a while, looking for the King of the Jews who had been prophesied.  They came expecting to find Him, prepared with tribute and in an attitude of worship.

They didn't find Him in a palace.  He was not surrounded by servants or an army.  They found the Child in a house with His mother.  They saw the sign, the star resting over the place.  They didn't question the choice of vessel, but worshiped this precious gift from God.  They were looking for God's gift, not at the container.

Too often, we let circumstance and packaging determine our willingness to accept what God has given.  We get like Naaman when looking for a healing from Elisha (2 Kings 5).  Elisha gave him a relatively simple task to do in order to be healed.  Because it wasn't extraordinary and because the prophet wouldn't tell Naaman directly, Naaman felt like it wasn't good enough for him.  He was willing to keep the disease because the healing wasn't packaged in a way he thought was appropriate.

So it can be with with us.  Sometimes we can get caught up in how the message or correction or conviction is delivered and we miss the point of the message, the visitation or the blessing.  Our discipleship requires that we learn to look past the presentation, and sometimes, even our own experience with people and focus in on God and following the Holy Spirit.  That may not be easy, but it is moving in perfection.

Christ was not what most people expected in His earthly ministry, but He was exactly what we all needed.  God may choose to address 'that' area in your life or my life in an unexpected way, but it will end up being the exact right answer...if we can get past the packaging.

Open the present.  Receive the gift.  Don't worry about the box or the paper or how it got delivered.  When it comes from the Father, it is exactly what's needed.

James 1:17 

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.

Peace and blessing to you.

Lifeline is produced from the Evangelistic Ministry of Fellowship Church in Jonesboro, GA. You are encouraged to share this message. The Fellowship Church website (www.youarechosen.net) includes a link to the Lifeline Blog (www.lifelineatfellowship.blogspot.com) where you can find previous messages.  

Evangelist Robinson also posts her entries on Facebook and Twitter. To subscribe to the mailing, or for questions and comments, tweet (@evangeliststeff) or send an email to fellowship_lifeline@yahoo.com.

Fellowship Church can be reached at chosen.gen@att.net.