Epiphany: Do You See What God Sees?

January 3, 2016 Isaiah 60.1-6, *Matthew 2.1-12 “Epiphany: Do You See What God Sees?” Jacqueline Hines

Matthew the tax collector tells us in chapter 2 that wise men came from the east to see Jesus, born to be the savior of our world. There is not a day goes by that we do not appreciate having a savior from one predicament or another, whether our predicament be personal or global.

It is said that the wise  came from the East (that symbol of what is right), for God always comes from the East - the right side. Every step of our journey has its purpose to make something OR someone right with God.

The wise ones observed a star. They kept their focus on Heaven. The star is the symbol of wisdom that is visible, yet beyond our grasp, far beyond our control or corruption. God puts stars in the heavens like visions in our hearts that force us to look up, especially in the dark.  Often, if we are going to follow where God leads us, we must often stretch in order to see God’s glorious vision.

Herod knew about the star, but he was not coming from the right, like the Wise men. Herod was coming from a wicked place. But, the wise men, coming from the right, knew how to do their part in sabotaging Herod’s evil plan.  

The story of the wise men is an old story that is repeated throughout every generation. At Bethel, we too come from the East, (the right) to worship the King. We too have seen a star – a vision that is far beyond our human ability to comprehend or attain.

I have always appreciated Joyce Kilmer’s famous poem saying : “I think that I shall never see a poem as lovely as a tree….A tree that looks at God all day, and lifts her leafy arms to pray; A tree that may in Summer wear a nest of robins in her hair…poems are made by fools like me, but only Go can make a tree.”

It is so true, only God can make a tree. It is also true that only God can make Bethel a church. How many businesses can be in continuous existence for 171 years as we have without the help of God? How many community organizations have a Compassionate Care team that reaches out to our seniors and all others who are in need like me when I lost my mother? It is because you have faithfully followed the star that there is not enough time to tell all the spectacular stories of the impact of our Bethel Christian Preschool on this church and 19 preschoolers and their families enrolled in Bethel’s Christian Preschool. Who could have dreamed that the church that began at the bottom of the hill built with hard working farmers donating field stones and Trustees digging the basement by hand would have such an awesome vision of handicapable accessibility?  

God gives us dreams, big dreams reminding us that our God is a big God. Just when we were wondering who would lead our youth, Amy  and Kim  emerged out of the clear blue sky  - like the brightest stars we could ever imagine. And if that were not enough we have in this Church family countless crafters, organizers, financiers, and musicians. God sent us two teenage preachers who brought messages for young and elders alike - messages that are truly a sign that God is with us.

Surely the leaders we elected in September’s Charge Conference, whom we dedicate this day, have done their part and have seeded and watered an atmosphere that has helped these two preachers, and all of our youth to grow spiritually. Which one of us could make such beautiful things happen in our church? Which two of us? Which committee working alone could do what we have done together? It takes every one of us doing our share, working in unity and harmony. When God is pleased, our blessings satisfy our hearts.

Our dreams are great and quickly fulfilled when God sends us extraordinarily generous givers – who are wise and kind. God has sent us tithers and those who make sacrifices, those who are faithful because they have seen the star shining in the East and they come to worship him.

So this year as we dream big, again, let us keep in focus at least three things that God illuminates in our paths: our health, our habits, our hubbub.

First, every age and nation has its own challenges to staying healthy. It is said that newborn American babies are born with 92 foreign chemicals that strain our health. Adults have over 200 that come from the environment and contaminants in makeup and medications and such. Research helps us to see that exercise and a healthy diet of plenty of fruit, vegetables, uncured meat, water, vitamins, and enough sleep can make us stronger. 

Secondly, our personal habits go a long way in pouring more peace into our lives. It is amazing that most Americans are in credit card debt – on average about 8,000 dollars. We easily buy twice as much, when we use credit cards. What would our country, our township, our homes and our lives look like if we lived within our means and stopped living off of our credit cards? It would not always be pretty at first, but it is worth our best efforts. When God is in charge of our money and our spending, life changes.

Finally, God wants to be a part of our hubbub.   According to Merriam Webster dictionary, hubbub is a loud mixture of sounds or voices, it is noise, confusion, activity, uproar, turmoil. God has a plan to lighten our load and lighten our path   and lift us up in the midst of whatever hubbub the year brings.  God is ready to bless us in our health, our habits, and our hubbub in this year and the years to come.  Pray always that we see what God sees. Amen.