The Magi were wise for recognizing Jesus and journeying to find him. As stewards, they, in their wisdom, lay the very best they had at his feet. At the end of Nate Berneking’s book, The Vile Practices of Church Leadership, he admonishes the church not to be the servant that buries its talent or carelessly wastes it. This is the antithesis of the Magi, something we don’t wish to be.
As Berneking argues, burying the riches one is given can not only be out of fear of risk but can also be out of convenience. It is easiest not to try, simpler to not take the journey into the unknown. This is a waste of opportunities. It might be easiest to stay inside our comfort zone, protecting one’s past and holding onto one’s present at the expense of the future. But we are called to do more.
Yet there is a lack of wisdom in the other extreme too. It is not wise to spend without an intentional plan or to travel without an envisioned destination. It is easiest to say we’ve tried and risked much as our ready excuse when our lack of thoughtfulness in the past or present sets up our failure in the future. It is a waste of resources. It might be easiest to buy into the superficial, glamorous quick fixes without focusing on the depth of devotion one needs to recognize Jesus and journey to find him. But we are called to do better.
This Epiphany season may Jesus find us to be wise as the Magi, seeking to lay the best, our very best, before him. May the church dig up its buried and lost talents too, courageously and intentionally taking the wise route to follow the Magi’s example on the long and rewarding road to worshipping our King.
Start the new year right and let the Light of Jesus guide our hearts and actions.
