Hope And The Christmas Star

Jiminy Cricket famously advised Pinocchio to wish upon a star.

It’s a cute song, but I’m not sure it’s wise to accept life coaching advice from a bug. I don’t believe in wishes any more than I believe in the twenty-seven versions of Santa Claus that recently invaded our house.

There’s a star in the Christmas story. The Magi didn’t wish upon the star. They followed it, hoping to witness and worship the miracle it proclaimed.

We should be aware of what we hope for, because hope opens the door to God’s dream.

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I remember exactly where I was standing–that’s right, standing–when I told a friend I couldn’t escape this nagging sense of purpose.

I used a line from one of the STAR TREK movies. I said teaching was my “first, best destiny” at that moment, but I felt certain something bigger lurked. My theology wasn’t mature enough to understand what I meant. I didn’t know, nearly thirty years ago, God was using my experiences and mistakes to shape a future I couldn’t imagine.

I only know I felt this–thing–this sense of a future, and I hoped it was real.

Be careful what you hope for. What God has in mind might take you down some difficult roads.

Please don’t misunderstand. I don’t believe God was conspiring at that moment to toss me off a roof and cause a catastrphophic injury so His plan could be fulfilled. I don’t believe God “caused” my injury, and I don’t think He “needed” it to fulfill His plan.

I believe He used my accident, as He uses all circumstances, for good. I don’t know how that works.

I do know hope is a confident expectation that God keeps His promises. When you say, “God, I hope you’ll use me to build Your kingdom,” He’ll take you seriously.

You’ll likely end up somewhere beyond your comfort zone, called to accept people, ideas, and tasks you never imagined. You may be called upon to face fear and move forward with courage.

You’re not alone, though. That helpless baby in the Nativity scene will go along.

He knew exactly what He hoped for, and He went anyway. He knows the way.

“Follow me.”

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