Our pastor tells the story of wisemen following the star to worship the newborn King. He compares it to Herod, the one seeking to kill anyone who threatens his position even if it is a tiny babe.
Then he asks, “Are you seeking like the wisemen… or Herod?” And if that question wasn’t enough to get me going, he continues…
There’s only enough room for one king in our lives.
It’s been three weeks and I still hear the echo of his words. “There’s only enough room for one King.” Just one King.
It’s not new. It dates back to stone tablets etched on a mountain. You shall have no other gods before me is number one on the list. It’s there for good reason. Mostly because if we get this one, then all others will fall into place.
So I ponder. I pray. I dare to ask, Lord, is there something you’re trying to reveal to me… in me? Have I placed something or someone above you? Is there a king in my life that needs to go? because I want to be like the wisemen. I want to leave the familiar and follow starry light. to bring you what I have. to fall on my knees and bow low in worship.
This prayer feels dangerous. It takes a bit of grit to ask God to pull back the facade and take a long look at a heart. Honestly, I don’t always know what’s in there. I think I do. I feel like I do, but often the thought or emotion I’m having is just the tip of the iceberg. If I take the time to dig a bit deeper I often find what I say, do, or feel points to something deeper.
A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart. What you say (do, feel) flows from what is in your heart.
Luke 6:45 NLT, parenthesis mine
If the bible is true, and I believe that it is–what I say, do, think and feel flows from my heart. And I want a heart that is right towards God. I don’t want to force patience by biting my tongue, I want BE PATIENT. I want to embody the things Jesus did. Things like love, joy, kindness… grace.
True transformation comes when I ask the hard questions and am willing to receive the answer. to acknowledge I’m serving the king of control or people-pleasing or success. In the end these kings have no lasting kingdom.
Like the wisemen returning home a different way, I want to turn away from the kings of this world and have a heart wholly devoted to one King.
Just. One. King.
This may be the most important prayer work we do.
Asking…God, what’s in my heart?
And in the questioning we become like the wisemen. seeing the light of Jesus. traveling faith’s path. all to worship just one King.
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