Hey, have you ever felt like you’re stuck in limbo, wondering if you’ve made the right choices? I have. There have been times when I wished I could turn back the clock and do things differently.

Growing up, whenever I had to make a decision, I’d talk to my parents. My dad would always say, “Why don’t you pray about it and ask God for guidance?” I’d kind of laugh it off, thinking, “Yeah, right, Dad.”

But the truth is, I was more likely to seek advice from others – whether it was a teacher, a family friend, or even a YouTube video. Praying about it wasn’t my go-to move.

Looking back, I realize that’s because I wasn’t really sure how to pray about my decisions or what to expect from God. But I also know that relying solely on human guidance can lead to some pretty big detours from God’s plan.

Do you want to know how? I mean relying on people’s guidance can be made a misery in His plan for you. Yes, it’s absolute truth. If you want to know whether it’s real or not, well I can say that you’re in the right place.

Let’s take a closer look at what happens when we seek guidance from others instead of God.

Meet Magi

Hey, let’s talk about a story we’ve all heard a million times – the story of the Magi, or the Three Wise Men. But today, I want to dive into it from a fresh angle. Are you ready to explore this classic tale in a whole new way?

Let’s dive into the fascinating story of the Magi, also known as the Three Wise Men. Who were these mysterious travellers, and what drove them to embark on a perilous journey to find the newborn Jesus?

First off, let’s talk about their origins. The Magi were a group of super-smart scholars and priests from ancient Persia (modern-day Iran). They were like the Einsteins of their time, experts in astronomy, mathematics, and medicine. It’s believed that the Magi who visited Jesus were part of the royal court of Persia, serving as advisors to the king.

Now, imagine travelling for months on end, braving treacherous terrain and unpredictable weather. That’s exactly what the Magi did. According to historical estimates, they likely travelled for around 12-18 months, covering a distance of over 1,000 miles. That’s one epic road trip!

So, what drove these wise men to undertake such a journey? The answer lies in their astronomical observations. They had spotted a rare celestial event – a star that signalled the birth of a new king. This wasn’t just any star; it was a sign that God had sent His Son to redeem humanity.

When the Magi finally arrived in Bethlehem, they brought with them three symbolic gifts: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. These gifts weren’t just random presents; they held deep spiritual significance. Gold represented royalty and kingship, acknowledging Jesus as the King of Kings. Frankincense symbolized priestly worship, recognizing Jesus as our High Priest. Myrrh, often used in burial rituals, foreshadowed Jesus’ ultimate sacrifice on the cross.

What’s remarkable about the Magi’s story is that they came from different cultural and religious backgrounds, yet they shared a common desire to seek truth and worship the one true God. They were not Jewish, but they had studied the Hebrew scriptures and recognized the significance of the star.

As we reflect on the Magi’s journey, we’re reminded that seeking guidance is not just about finding answers; it’s about seeking the One who holds the answers. In the next section, we’ll explore what we can learn from the Magi’s approach to seeking guidance from the right source and how it can inform our journeys.

Following the Star

So, let’s get back to the Magi’s story. Can you imagine being on a journey, not knowing exactly where you’re going, but trusting that you’ll get there?

That’s basically what the Magi did. They followed a star, trusting that it would lead them to the newborn king.

Honestly, I don’t even trust Google assistance when commuting to new places.

Now, think about it – these guys were total brainiacs. They were scholars, astronomers, and priests, used to studying the stars, predicting celestial events, and advising kings. But when it came to finding Jesus, they didn’t rely on their expertise or knowledge. Instead, they trusted in God’s guidance, as symbolized by the star.

As they travelled, the star led them on a winding path, first to Jerusalem and then to Bethlehem.

Honestly, if I were in the Magi’s shoes and stumbled upon that epic star, I’d probably whip out my phone and snap a quick pic for Instagram. I mean, can you imagine the caption? “Just spotted the most lit star in the sky! #StarStruck #MagiLife”

But they’re different. Along the way, they must have faced all sorts of challenges treacherous terrain, harsh weather conditions, and maybe even scepticism from others. But they persevered, trusting that the star would lead them to their destination.

Meanwhile, they were probably thinking, “What’s going on? Why is the star leading us to this tiny town?” But they didn’t let their doubts hold them back. They kept following the star, and eventually, it led them to a humble house in Bethlehem.

When they finally arrived, they found Jesus, just as the star had promised. And what did they do? They worshipped Him, offering gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. It’s a powerful reminder that seeking guidance is not just about finding answers, but about worshipping the One who holds the answers.

The Temptation to Seek Human Guidance

So, let’s get back to the Magi’s story. As they continued to follow the star, they must have felt a sense of wonder and awe at the mystery unfolding before them. But as they journeyed on, they also faced a crucial test of their faith. Would they continue to trust in the guidance of the star, or would they start to rely on human wisdom instead?

It’s a temptation that we can all relate to, and one that the Magi themselves faced as they entered the bustling city of Jerusalem. Let’s take a closer look at what happened.

When the Magi arrived in Jerusalem, they asked the locals, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews?” (Matthew 2:2). Now, on the surface, this seems like a reasonable question. After all, they were in a new city, and they were looking for some directions.

But here’s the thing: the Magi had already been following the star, which was their guide. They didn’t need to ask for directions. Yet, they still asked the people in Jerusalem, and what happened? They got some pretty bad advice.

King Herod, who was ruling Jerusalem at the time, heard about the Magi’s question and got pretty upset. He called a meeting with the chief priests and teachers of the law, asking them where the Messiah was to be born (Matthew 2:4-6). They told him that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem, but Herod’s intentions were far from pure.

He asked the Magi to report back to him when they found the child, supposedly so he could “worship” Him too (Matthew 2:8). But we know that Herod’s real plan was to eliminate the competition, to get rid of the one who threatened his power.

So, what can we learn from this episode? When we seek human guidance instead of relying on God, we can end up getting some pretty bad advice. We can get led astray by people who have their own agendas, and their interests.

As the Bible says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight” (Proverbs 3:5-6).

When we rely on God’s guidance, we can trust that He will lead us in the right direction. But when we seek human guidance instead, we can end up getting lost in the wilderness.

So, let’s take a cue from the Magi and make seeking God’s guidance a priority in our lives. Let’s trust in His plan and surrender to His guidance. As we do, we can rest assured that He’ll lead us on a journey of wonder, awe, and discovery.

Lessons from the Wise Men

So, what can we learn from the Magi’s story? Firstly, their experience teaches us the importance of seeking God’s guidance. They didn’t just rely on their knowledge or understanding; they looked to the heavens for direction. And that’s exactly what we’re called to do. When we seek God’s guidance, we can trust that He’ll illuminate our path and show us the way forward. The Magi’s story also shows us the value of trusting in God’s plan. They didn’t try to control the journey or dictate the outcome. Instead, they surrendered to God’s guidance and let Him lead the way.

But here’s the thing: the Magi faced a temptation that we can all relate to – seeking human guidance instead of relying on God. When they arrived in Jerusalem, they asked the locals for directions. What had happened? They got some pretty bad advice from King Herod, who had his agenda. This part teaches us that when we seek human guidance instead of relying on God, we can end up getting lost in the wilderness. So, let’s take a cue from the Magi and make seeking God’s guidance a priority in our lives. Let’s trust in His plan and surrender to His guidance. As we do, we can rest assured that He’ll lead us on a journey of wonder, awe, and discovery.

Final Words

So, let’s wrap up our journey with the Magi. We’ve explored how they followed the star, seeking God’s guidance on their journey to find Jesus. We’ve seen how they faced the temptation to seek human guidance instead but ultimately chose to trust in God’s plan. And we’ve reflected on the lessons we can learn from their experience, including the importance of seeking God’s guidance and trusting in His plan.

Let’s be real, seeking guidance from people can be super tempting. We think, “Hey, they’ve been around the block a few times, they must know what they’re talking about.” But here’s the thing: God is the ultimate guide. He hears the conversations that you don’t, sees the things that you can’t, and knows everything that’s going on behind your back.

So, why bother seeking guidance from people when you can go straight to the source? God knows exactly what you need, where you need to be, and how to protect you from harm. He’s got your back, and He’s always looking out for your best interests.

Plus, let’s not forget that people’s advice can be super flawed. They might have their agendas, biases, and limited perspectives. But God’s guidance is always perfect, always trustworthy, and always tailored to your unique situation.

So, next time you’re faced with a tough decision or uncertain situation, don’t seek guidance from people first. Instead, take a deep breath, quiet your heart, and seek God’s guidance. He’ll show you the way, and you can trust that His plan is always better than yours.

As we conclude, I want to leave you with a question: what’s your own experience of seeking guidance been like? Have you ever felt like you’re navigating unfamiliar territory, unsure of which path to take? Maybe you’re facing a tough decision right now, and you’re not sure what to do.

Whatever your experience, I encourage you to reflect on the Magi’s story and see what wisdom you can glean from it. Remember that seeking God’s guidance is not a one-time event, but a lifelong journey. And trust that, just as the star guided the Magi to Jesus, God will guide you on your journey, leading you to places of wonder, awe, and discovery.

So, take a deep breath, and let’s embark on this journey of seeking God’s guidance together.

As the Bible says, “Seek the Lord while he may be found; call on him while he is near” (Isaiah 55:6).

Let’s seek Him with all our hearts, and trust that He’ll lead us on an adventure of a lifetime.