Peace & Presence

The stars hold different significance for different people, but the star determines the path to a destination for a captain. Without a compass, the stars are the last light that leads home. Unfortunately, the stars don't last forever; dawn takes them away. The truth is that the stars don't really matter. What is important is the significance of the star before it winks out. It's a pity to focus more on the star than its purpose. And it's more of a shame for those who debate the purpose of the star without doing anything.

The three wise men came from the East. They followed a new star that portended great things. They came to worship the newly-born king. That was their belief: a new star meant a king had been born. They were not called wise because of their past but because they knew Jesus was a king and because they worshipped him.

For many people, the star means a lot of things: the Christmas season, carols, end-of-the-year parties, Christmas lights and trees. But what about the King? He is the purpose behind that star, the center of our existence, our Savior and friend. We should worship Christ, not the stars. The wise men fell down and worshipped the Christ child. Christ wants us to worship Him, to pray instead of immediately running to practitioners, to forget our achievements like the wise men, to fall before Him, to offer Him presents, and to give Him our hearts.

Don't be lost in the Christmas season. Don't be carried away by the songs, blinded by the shining lights, overwhelmed by the heights of the trees, or captivated by gifts at the malls. As you celebrate, worship the King.

As a young teenager, my career plan was to join the diplomatic corps. The new junior high school offered a Spanish class. I was so eager to learn that I began studying during summer vacation. Our enthusiastic Spanish teacher further fanned the flame of my interest.

By the end of high school, I had learned the basics of two Romance languages. Then, in college, I focused on foreign language studies to help prepare me for official assignments.  

I pictured myself traveling to other countries, living a glamorous life, and meeting fascinating people. Whether I served abroad or at home, there were plenty of opportunities to represent our nation as an ambassador.

The Scriptures tell us that believers are ambassadors for Christ. We represent Him in all walks of life. We promote good will, establish relationships with others, provide help and support in various ways, and share the Good News about our Savior. We are to bear the image of Christ and love, help, and serve others.

We can represent Christ in our local community, in work projects and opportunities, ministries, or short-term mission trips. We can demonstrate kindness, compassion, and caring in a world of suffering and hardship. We can encourage and build up one another and spread hope when others are down on their luck or experience unfortunate circumstances.

Our ambassadorship for God is a full-time job. Our commitment to doing good works, serving others, and glorifying God will reap benefits on earth and rewards in heaven.

Think of some ways you can be God’s ambassador. 

Hachiko, called Hachi, was a dog owned by a Japanese professor in the last century. Hachi would walk to the train station with the professor daily to watch his owner catch the train to work. At 3 p.m. Hachi would return to the station and wait for his master so they could walk home together.

One day, the professor did not return. He had died at work. The gardener took Hachi in, but the dog kept his same routine. At three in the afternoon, he went to the station to wait for his master. This lasted for almost ten years until Hachi himself died.

At first, Hachi was a nuisance at the station, but then the people realized what was happening. Word spread, and Hachi became a national symbol of a loyal dog. Later, they erected a statue at the train station representing undying loyalty.

If we expect family or friends for a holiday visit, we anxiously look out the window or listen for the doorbell. We do this because we know they are coming. Anticipating Christ’s return should prompt us to do the same. If we expect a visitor, we try to clean up ourselves and our houses a bit. Knowing Christ is coming should motivate us to tidy up our spiritual houses. 

In numerous places in the Old and New Testament, prophets tell that Jesus Christ will return. Like Hachi, we should wait for our master, the Lord Jesus. And if He tarries, another generation will be raised to faithfully wait, based on what they have seen in us. One day, when least expected, the trumpet will sound. In the twinkling of an eye, Christ will appear, and we will all meet Him in the air.

Don’t regret anxiously awaiting Christ’s return. Doing so will be worth the wait.  

One Sunday, as my husband walked the church hallway, he saw Johnnie, one of my seven-year-old choir members. A distraught young teacher’s assistant tugged on Johnnie as he resisted. From the interaction, it was apparent Johnnie had misbehaved in class and had been removed from the group to the hallway.

As my husband passed Johnnie, he looked into his eyes and softly said, “What would Mrs. Shoaf think?”

Johnnie immediately straightened up and marched back into the classroom. The flabbergasted assistant gazed at my husband—her mouth dropping in disbelief.

Later, my husband chuckled as he relayed the incident to me. “I know she wondered what woman had such power over this little fellow.”

Johnnie was a handful—at first. He was an obvious leader, and the children mimicked his antics. I called him aside one day and solicited his help. Johnnie sought attention in the wrong way until given the opportunity to use his talents for good. I explained how important his influence was on the other children and asked him to assist me in teaching the others. From that day forward, Johnnie proved an asset in the choir.

How often do we struggle against God? We want to go our way and do our own thing, just like Johnnie. We seek attention by inappropriate means. We rebel for no apparent reason except selfish desires.

But the Holy Spirit can tug at our hearts and show us our disobedience. God endowed us with spiritual gifts and called us for specific purposes. His way is so much better. When we cease struggling against God, He will use us powerfully and positively. God wants to work in us and mold us into the people He knows we can be.

Let go of any self-centered behaviors and allow God to lead you. 

The fight against depression was exhausting.

“I don’t know why this semester has been so hard for me,” I told my parents over the phone.

Heaving sobs wracked my body, and tears poured down my cheeks.

“Have you prayed about it?” Dad asked.

I shook my head, then realized they couldn’t see me and said, “Not as I should.

In my senior year of college, I fell into a state of depression. I had panic episodes and found myself crying even though nothing had happened. Nothing should have triggered such a response. I tried to write it off as the stress of classes, homesickness, or being overly tired. But the real root of the problem was my distance from God.

Christians are supposed to have a daily walk with God, which includes studying the Bible and praying constantly. If a Christian falls away from God, the results can be catastrophic. In my case, it caused depression.

When depression hits, the best thing to do is pray about it. God wants His children to cast their cares on Him and let Him comfort them. But instead of letting go, I kept living in a depressive state. I told myself I would read my Bible and pray later. I told myself God could wait while I figured out my worries. But I couldn’t figure it out by myself. Only when I returned to God did I find comfort and rest.

Depression can be intense, but compared to God’s strength, it doesn’t stand a chance. As Christians, we need to remain in the Word to discover the joy of the Lord. In the battle of God against depression, God will always come out on top.           

Think of things you still hold on to that deprive you of God’s comfort. Then let go of your troubles and fall into the Father’s embrace.