By Another Road

Matthew 2:10-12 When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. 11 On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. 12 And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they left for their own country by another road.


It seems the new year never fails to bring with it opportunities for generosity. Last year it was the earthquake in Haiti. This year we have already seen an earthquake in Chile, given generously to make Christmas better for many families and intensified the reality that the newly acquired properties are significantly underwater and costing a additional 15% to the church budget. These are current needs. And then a week from Sunday (Jan 16) is Human Relations Day, one of the six special Sundays with offerings in the United Methodist Church and on Jan 23rd are sponsoring a pancake breakfast to help Phil and Judy Lundquist’s grandson, Koby, have a van that is adapted to take a wheelchair.

For me the word "opportunity" is the key word. We're not called to have shakedowns on Sunday morning, nor are we called to lay a guilt trip on ourselves. On the other hand, I learned long ago that it wasn't my right to deny others the opportunity to give to these special circumstances and projects. It was my responsibility simply to tell the story and offer the invitation.

This Sunday’s worship theme will lift up the story of the magi and their gifts in response to their overwhelming joy, but the major focus will be on their insight to go along their way ‘by another road.’

By another road - Steve Hermes

I knew the way ahead.
     I studied the maps.
     I planned out the route.


Then I plugged in the destination into my GPS (God’s Pointing Star)


                       Recalculating …


How dare God suggest an alternative route!


I am in control!
I already put down a deposit on the motel along my route.
My route is quick and direct and arrives at my desired destination.


             Recalculating …


How do we recognize when it is time to turn down a different road or how do we adapt when the road ahead has changed on us (at least from what we expected). Our trust is that God is the road builder. Maybe the scenic route is the point of the journey. We might end up where we thought we were going. We might end up at a surprising destination of God's choosing.

Follow that Star.