As you read this, I will be on my way home from Zimbabwe through Amsterdam. These last three weeks have been among the best since I started PurposeQuest six years ago. I felt more focused, effective and productive than at any other time. I am ready to go home, however, and I am looking forward to a Christmas break with family.
Yesterday I spoke at Celebration Church for the second time this trip. On both occasions, I chose a portion of the Christmas story as my theme. Two weeks ago, my title was "Have a Mary Christmas." Yesterday my title was "Suddenly: The Sights and Sounds of Breakthrough." Since breakthrough was the theme for the church in 2006, I thought it would be good to wrap up the year by giving some of my limited insights on the subject. The PowerPoint slides from both messages can be found on my blog.
I almost spoke about the Magi last Sunday, but I thought I would save those thoughts for this Monday Memo.
WHO WERE THOSE MEN?
Who were those wise men or Magi who came from the east to visit Jesus and bring him gifts? (You may want to renew your familiarity with this brief story by reading Matthew 2:1-12.) We aren't really sure. Nor do we know what they were looking for as they studied the heavens and what kind of star they saw that caused them to follow it hundreds of miles to find an infant king. We know it wasn't a comet, for the star stopped right over the place where Jesus was.
There were probably more than three men who came to see Jesus, but we have numbered them as three since they brought three gifts of myrrh, incense and gold. They rode on camels for days, weeks even, not sure of what they would find when they arrived.
When they did arrive, they checked in with King Herod, convinced that he would know where the infant royalty was. It is interesting that the wise men knew more of what was going on spiritually in Herod's kingdom than Herod did.
By the time the Magi arrived, Joseph, Mary and Jesus were living in a house, not in a stable, so they came some time after the night the shepherds went to see Jesus in the manger. Since Herod carefully ascertained when the star had first appeared and then had all the male babies two years of age and under killed in Bethlehem, the Magi could have arrived as much as two years after Jesus birth. That's a long time to watch and follow a star.
FOLLOW YOUR OWN STAR
When praying for someone yesterday morning, I spoke this prayer: "May the star of Jesus appear in your life and lead and guide you to where He wants you to be!" After I said that, I couldn't stop thinking about that phrase. And the more I thought about it, the more I knew that was my prayer for you as well.
You will need God's help if you are to find and fulfill your purpose. That's not a problem, however, for God is in the business of helping people like you clarify purpose. When Jesus was born, His star appeared and led those who were interested directly to his home. The same thing can happen today for you. God can lead and guide you right where you need to be, when you need to be there. Oftentimes when you can't see your purpose, you aren't quite ready to find it. Yet if you keep searching just like the Magi kept searching the heavens, your star will appear and suddenly it will all make sense.
As we prepare to celebrate the birth of Jesus, I urge you to follow in the footsteps of the Magi. Wise men and women still seek Jesus and, as they do, they find purpose. I pray that 2007 will be a year of purpose and productivity the likes of which you have never seen, imagined or enjoyed. I also pray that when you find the star and follow it, you will end up as the Magi did--worshiping the King and giving Him gifts. There is no greater gift than devoting and dedicating the fulfillment of your purpose to Christ and His kingdom.
From all the Stanko household, we wish you a very Merry Christmas as you follow your star into the purpose of God!
Feel free to post your comment to this Memo on the site where it is located. You can also go to the same site to read the other Monday Memos from 2006. And don't forget my personal PurposeQuest website, which has loads of material that will help you find your purpose and be productive. Finally, please remember PurposeQuest and the Stankos in your year-end giving.
Hi John,
It is also interesting that although the teachers of the law knew almost everything about the Messiah...His birthplace, prophecies...they never acknowledged or worshipped Him.
A merry (or is it Mary?) Christmas to you and your household too and a blessed 2007. Thanks for being a blessing in 2006.
Posted by: Rogo | December 19, 2006 at 11:58 PM
John, in your Memo you wrote:
"These last three weeks have been among the best since I started PurposeQuest six years ago. I felt more focused, effective and productive than at any other time."
Do you mean to imply that you felt even MORE productive and effective than the way you were utilized by Cruise Club to the absolute max on the Steps of Paul Cruise????!!!
Have a great Christmas, John. By the way, you never got back with me on my Africa offer in an earlier posting....
warmly, Rob
Posted by: Rob Moritz | December 20, 2006 at 12:52 AM
Thank you Dr Stanko for preaching Have a Merry Christmas and the story of the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ. I have known this story since I was in Sunday school, but never in my life has the message been preached like you did.
I always look forward to your coming to Zimbabwe and Monday memos.
Many thanks for touching my life in such profound way. God bless you.
Posted by: Wadzanayi Phiri | December 20, 2006 at 06:09 AM
Hello and Praise the Lord Jesus. I want register my appreciation for your ministry "The Monday Memo" I have been blessed this year. I wish you a Merry Christmas and a blessed 2007. God bless you abundantly.
Posted by: susan | December 25, 2006 at 06:11 AM