Following the Star

Pause

Lay you down your burdens, all your fears
And I don't need your deepest secrets whispered in my ear
'Cause I can hear your heart

from “Hear Your Heart,” James Bay, 2015

At this moment, let your heart be open, because God can hear your heart.

Listen

“I baptize with water those of you who have changed your hearts and lives. The one who is coming after me is stronger than I am. I’m not worthy to carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. The shovel he uses to sift the wheat from the husks is in his hands. He will clean out his threshing area and bring the wheat into his barn. But he will burn the husks with a fire that can’t be put out.”

Matthew 3:11-12

Think

As a child, I was not much of a fighter. I normally tried to persuade the fighters with my words. However, if that didn’t work, I would grab my mother, father, or most times, my older sister. When I knew it was an encounter out of my control or beyond my capabilities, I went to the one who was stronger.

At the river Jordan, John states, “The one who is coming after me is stronger than I am.” I can just imagine the faces of those hearing these words. Deep sighs of relief and the loosening of tension within their body must have happened. Most at the river probably found themselves in a fight they just couldn’t withstand alone. Maybe a fight against Roman rule, a fight with fear or injustice. Similar fights to those we may find ourselves fighting today. We need to hear John’s words as much as they did.

The one who is coming is stronger than each of us. Thankfully, it is the same one who constantly brings peace to us all.

Timothy Peoples

Pray

God of all things, you know the battles I am fighting and the fears I am holding onto. I know you a stronger than I am. In the moments that I can’t, I know you can. Amen.

Go

The Lord bless you and protect you.

The Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you.

The Lord lift up his face to you and grant you peace.

Numbers 6:24-26