1. January 6 is observed as a church festival in commemoration of the coming of the Magi as the first manifestation of Christ to the Gentiles
2. an appearance or manifestation especially of a divine being
3. a usually sudden manifestation or perception or an illuminating discovery, realization, or disclosure
Whether we think about the Wise Men and the Epiphany they experienced through the star and their toilsome journey and their years of research and seeking…
Or we identify Zechariah who had nine months to rethink his Epiphany from the angel about having a son…
Or consider the Epiphanies experienced by Mary or Joseph or the shepherds, some of whom had multiple encounters with angels or dreams or Holy Spirit…
We find that sudden revelation from God caused an awakening and brought a paradigm shift - a new worldview, a new hierarchy of values. Everything changed in their lives and in their responses to what was happening because now they were aware that God had caused the awakening in their minds and hearts, and He not only loved them but had special purpose for them.
Did you experience any Epiphanies in your thinking this Advent and Christmas?
Did you have the joy of helping someone else awaken more to God’s love and joy?
God awakened his love in the wise men through their study of nature. To others he used dreams, angels, and His Holy Spirit.
Rethink how God stirs people in different ways to become open to the power of the gospel.
Take a 21 day challenge to pray and ask someone what they are thinking about the world or God or life etc… and see where God is at work everyday.’
See if serving or sharing with them, or having a cup of coffee or meal or activity together may lead to them seeking and having an awakening.
For six weeks pray about how God wants to change the rhythms in your daily and weekly grind to include someone as a possible disciple.
It takes 40 days/six weeks to change behavior because of "Limbic lag” but only 21 days to exchange a new habit for an old one.
-PD
