1-5-25 “The Best GPS”
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“The Best GPS”
I want to start with something funny I found an internet site: One Saturday, a pastor was walking down the street on his way to visit a parishioner. He needed to urgently post a package, so he asked a young boy where he could find the post office. After the boy gave him directions, the pastor thanked him and said, “If you come to church tomorrow morning, you can hear me tell everyone how to get to heaven.” The boy replied, “I think I’ll skip your sermon. If you don’t even know your way to the post office, how will you lead me to heaven?”
As I’ve mentioned before, I’m not great with maps. Because of this, I never volunteer to drive when we carpool, and I always rely on a GPS when traveling long distances. Yet, even with a GPS, I sometimes get lost. This happens when I input the wrong address or when the GPS fails to recognize a location.
I remember one particular day when I was driving to Pine Lake United Methodist Camp. It was probably my first year in Wisconsin. I entered “Pine Lake Camp” into my GPS and began the journey. After more than six hours, I found myself at the wrong Pine Lake campground! It was dark, the area was unfamiliar, and I felt scared and nervous. I pulled over to the roadside and prayed, realizing I had input the wrong information.
It’s true that technology makes life easier and more convenient, but it isn’t always reliable.
Do you remember how we found our way before GPS technology? I recall my first visit to the U.S. in 2003, before smartphones and GPS devices were common. I traveled with two friends to research seminaries in the Chicago area. I drove while my friends guided me using a paper map. We scheduled a visit to a seminary and planned to return the same way. However, we hadn’t accounted for one-way streets, which weren’t marked on the map. (At that time, we didn’t have one-way streets in Korea.) Can you imagine? What took us 30 minutes to reach took two hours to return!
Because I often get lost, I always pray before traveling, even when using a GPS. How about you? I’m sure many of you do as well.
Now, as we close the journey of 2024 and step into 2025, it’s time to set our focus. Let’s ensure we program our “GPS” toward the right destination. What is your New Year’s resolution? What will guide your path in this new season?
On this Epiphany Sunday, we reflect on the story of the wise men, mysterious travelers guided by a star. The Gospel of Matthew tells us about the wise men from the East who followed a star to Bethlehem. They first arrived at the palace where King Herod resided, asking if he knew the location of the Christ’s birthplace. This encounter presented challenges and a detour on their journey toward Christ. Ultimately, the wise men found the correct sign—the star, a divine direction from God—and were led to meet and worship Him. They remind us that every journey of faith begins with a willingness to move toward God, even when the way isn’t clear.
Their journey offers us three lessons as we step into the new year:
The first, follow the Best GPS. The wise men trusted the star, a divine GPS pointing them to Christ. Similarly, God places divine guides in our lives, such as scripture, prayer, our faith community, and the wisdom of others. Are we paying attention to these signs, or are we distracted by the noise of the world? As we set our resolutions and goals for 2025, let’s make seeking God’s guidance our priority.
Secondly, embrace the Detours. The wise men’s journey wasn’t straightforward. They stopped in Jerusalem, mistakenly assuming that worldly power would lead them to the Messiah. Even when life takes slow or unexpected turns, we must ask God for direction. Detours, though challenging, can have a purpose. They shape us, teach us patience, and redirect us toward God’s plans.
Lastly, give Joyfully. When the wise men found Jesus, they offered gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh—valuable treasures given freely and joyfully. These gifts were acts of worship, not obligation. What can we offer Christ this year? Whether it’s our time, talents, energy, or resources, let our giving flow from grateful hearts in response to God’s love.
The word “epiphany” means a revelation or moment of clarity. For the wise men, the epiphany was seeing Christ, the light of the world. As we enter 2025, may we have our own epiphanies—moments when God reveals His presence in our lives, whether through worship, acts of kindness, or quiet prayer.
As we move forward, the question is simple: What star will guide you? In other words, what GPS will you trust to find God’s will and walk with Him? The world offers many false lights—ambition, materialism, fear—but only the light of Christ leads to true peace and purpose.
Let us begin this year by committing to follow Christ’s light, wherever it leads. Like the wise men, let us journey in faith, trust in God’s guidance, and offer our best to the One who has given us everything.
As we embark on this new year, may God guide us as He guided the wise men. May we follow Christ’s light, embrace the journey with trust, and live with joyful hearts. May we see Christ clearly this year and reflect His light in all we do. Thanks be to God. Amen.