Follow the Star

When I was 12 years old, I went to a friend’s birthday party at a skating rink.  I met a young boy there that was part of the party.  I didn’t know anyone but the individual giving the party, so he said you can stay with me after learning I didn’t know anyone.  So I did…I mean I really did.  I followed him everywhere, so I wouldn’t be alone.  The sad part was, I wasn’t paying attention and I followed him right into the boy’s bathroom. 

Whom do you follow?  

We must be aware of our surroundings and pay attention to who we are following.

The wise men stepped far out of their ordinary, everyday lives to follow an unusual star in the sky. They knew the prophecies about the Messiah and they trusted they would find Him by following that star. The star was real, but it wasn’t really the star that was important—but the star’s purpose was.  It was symbolic of the light that came into the world with the Savior’s birth.  They were following a star because they knew where it would lead them.  It would lead them to Jesus Christ.

Do you think the wise men were the only ones who saw the star?

Anyone can look up in the sky. But maybe these wise men could see something that others could not see. They had been studying the sky and knew this star was different. It would change their lives and ultimately change the whole world.

That star led them to the Savior of the world.

1 – To view “the star” we will have to position ourselves to see it clearly.

When on one of our return trips from Utah with our 6 children, we found ourselves stranded on the side of the road.  It was in the middle of nowhere.  A very dark road, in the middle of the night, with 6 little children and a car that was not going anywhere.  The children began to wake from the nighttime slumber as we were climbing out of the car to look under the hood for any clues to the problem. As they began to get out and stretch, we gazed into the sky.  The stars were brilliant, and we could even see what appeared to be the Milky Way Galaxy as it was not hidden from our view because there was no light pollution of the world.

In today’s world, we are filled with pollution that filters out the star that we want to follow. There is counterfeit light all around us.

Light that tries to brighten the darkness in the world. There are all kinds of darkness in this world: darkness that comes from sin; darkness that comes from discouragement, disappointment, and despair; darkness that comes from loneliness and feelings of inadequacy.

But the light of Jesus Christ is stronger than any darkness we face in this life, if we have faith in Him, seek after Him, and obey Him.

The Savior’s light increases in our lives as we keep the commandments and strive continually to be like Him. For “that which is of God is light; and he that receiveth light, and continueth in God, receiveth more light; and that light groweth brighter and brighter” (D&C 50:24).

As the light of Jesus Christ and His gospel grows brighter within our countenances and our hearts, it becomes easier for us to discern what is truly valuable from the counterfeits the world offers.

The light of the Savior can glow within us if He is in our hearts. We need to position ourselves to clearly see the star, which is the light of Christ. 

2 – Sometimes we may need special instruments to see and identify and appreciate “the star”. 

Perhaps we would not have been able to enjoy the beauty of the night sky if our car had not broken down.  The Lord will and does provide means by which he helps us follow His light and become a reflection of His light.

We gave our son a telescope one year for Christmas. It was nothing grand, but we all enjoyed gazing at the stars. It wasn’t easy to navigate at first.  It took practice to know where and how to look through the lens of the scope.  Once we learned how to see, our experience in looking at the star became so much clearer than looking with just the natural eye. We could see so many more of them in general and their individual details; their colors and shapes.

We likewise have been given special instruments to increase our vision to see beyond what the natural eye can see.

The scriptures and all the holy prophets have testified of him. When we read and listen to them, we can learn more about Him, His individual details. His qualities and characteristics. We learn about His life and how we should live ours. Our greatest instrument is the gift of the Holy Ghost. This gift will help us identify Him as the Savoir of the World, our Redeemer, as he testifies of all truth, especially the reality and divinity of the Father and the Son.

We follow the star by choosing to do the things and use the instruments to help draw us closer to the true Light each day. Small things matter. It’s following and fighting for the small habits that qualify us for the companionship and friendship of the Holy Ghost.  The light of the Star, our Savior Jesus Christ is magnified with little things.

·         It’s slipping out of bed on our knees and saying our morning prayer (heartfelt and grateful and submissive) It’s returning and reporting on how our day went at the end of the day. 

·         It’s reading and studying the scriptures and particularly the Book of Mormon. 

·         It is worshipping weekly.  While it is important to remember Jesus Christ at all times, we can come closer to the Light as we take time each week to keep the Sabbath day holy and participate in meaningful worship.

·          It’s Looking to the living prophets. Just as God provided prophets in ancient times to lead the people out of darkness toward the light, He has given us prophets and apostles today to declare the glad tidings of the gospel of Jesus Christ and teach us the best way to follow Him and…

·         It’s reaching out in Love.  We can come closer to the Light when we lift another’s burden through Christlike service.   ONE act of service I can do for someone else including our husband, our children, our parents and in laws and those I minister to ...

3 – We have to be willing to do what it takes to see “the star”.

   Seeing the stars and the wonders of the cosmos require some sacrifice. They can only be found on their terms, at night. You may say, “But, I’m not a night person. I like going to bed early.” Or, “I’m afraid of the dark. If they would come out during the day, I would love to see them.”

   Though the Savoir invites all to come unto him, he has set the terms of a relationship with him. He asks that we have faith, repent, and keep his commandments. If we do we can see him always by having the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost. We can qualify to “always have His spirit to be with us” by striving to become like he is, little by little.

So, the star we follow today is much like the star of Bethlehem.  It says, “Come Unto Me” or “Come Follow Me” , “COME FIND ME” The light of the star then and His light today is symbol to the world that  HE IS HERE! 

This light, as it did for the Nephites, can save our lives.

Let’s not only FOLLOW THE STAR, but

• Let’s position ourselves in places where we can see the STAR,
• Let’s use the instruments we have been given to help magnify the beauty of the STAR and
• Let us be willing to do all it takes to bask in the warm and illuminating light provided by the gospel of Jesus Christ.
•  Let the Savior’s kindly light lead us one step at a time. Let covenants and commandments keep us safe as we follow the gospel pathway to our heavenly home.
• Let’s make room to Let Him In by choosing to Follow the STAR!