By A. Ray Lee

Columnist

By now most of our new year’s resolutions have been trashed like the paper in which our Christmas gifts were wrapped. We tried them on for size like new shoes and did not find them to be comfortable so we put them aside while promising ourselves that we would break them in later. Some we have resolved before and vowed this time we would keep them. The more serious ones have to do with the quality of life we hope to experience in the coming months and years. They should advance us toward worthy goals we have set for our life.

Recently on a night when sleep eluded me, I channel surfed in hopes of finding some program that would distract my thoughts long enough for my mind to slow down. I clicked past numerous channels which I normally watch. Finally, I came to one showing old western movies just as a new show was beginning. Its title, “A man without a star” caught my attention.

As the names of the actors scrolled across the screen a lonely cowboy rode across an empty prairie seemingly without any destination in mind. Ah, I thought, here is a feel-good story about a man finally finding his place in life. He is headed for a town where he will be accepted. He will find a sweetheart, settle down, perhaps become sheriff and wear a badge upon his vest. He will find his star in life and live happily ever after.

I placed the remote aside and leaned back on my pillows as he entered a town and received a warm welcome. But to my disappointment, he refused to accept the town folks, invitation to become an integral part of their community and find a good life with them. Two hours later as the picture closes he is riding out of town with his bedroll tied behind his saddle. Thus the meaning of the title became clear. He would always be a drifter until he found a guiding star for his life.

Stars have always been instrumental in physical travel. Following their guidance vast oceans were successfully crossed. Journeys were completed with only the stars to provide the way. Even today heavenly bodies are used by our GPS systems. If we have not done so we would be wise to find a worthy star to guide us onward to a worthy purpose in life.

In the account of the birth of Jesus, Matthew tells of men who followed a star. After a long journey they found the Christ child and presented him precious gifts as they bowed before him in worship. Their lives were forever enriched. They had found the star for which they had long searched.

Everyone needs a spiritual star to follow.

The words of the Apostle Paul come to mind. “This one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before me I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus”.