Worship and Arts by Young

A long time ago three wise men journeyed to Bethlehem, following a star.  They were led to a small, insignificant town where no one would expect the promised one, the Messiah could be found. However, that was where the wise men found Jesus Christ.  We often call this moment “Epiphany” or “Aha! Moment.”  The word “epiphany” comes from a Greek word meaning “to show,”  “to make known” or “to reveal.” As Christians, we are also following a star.  Like the wise men, sometimes the star leads us where we experience Epiphany moments. Through these moments, we are transformed and led to pathways of light.

The season of Epiphany begins January 6^th and lasts until Ash Wednesday. The eastern part of the early church began observing Epiphany as a feast to commemorate Jesus’ baptism. This tradition has been passed down through liturgical churches, so the first Sunday of Epiphany is observed as the baptism of Our Lord Jesus.

In January 2006, I experienced an unforgettable Epiphany moment.  At the time, I was serving at this particular church, but I wanted to be in another church. The church had hired me, but I was encountered with an obstacle which was preventing me from serving there. It led me to doubt whether God had called me as a church musician in the first place and began asking deeper and more serious questions. I asked God, “Let me know if you want me to continue in music ministry or if I am still yours.”  Even though I was arguing with God, there was no other way than to turn to Him. So that afternoon,

I went to another local church to worship. It was the Feast of The Baptism of the Lord.  At the end of the sermon, the pastor reminded the congregation, “God has said, ‘You are my beloved child with whom I am well pleased.’” It was as if she was speaking through a megaphone directly into my ears. And then we sang the hymn of the day “You Are Mine” (“Do not be afraid, I am with you. I have called you. Come and follow me.”).  There was no doubt that it was Him confirming that I was His. At the end of the service, when I shook the pastor’s hand, she saw that my face was covered with tears. She invited me into her office.  I told her my story and was comforted by her pastoral care. I saw God’s compassion in her eyes and when she hugged me, I felt I was in His arms. On the way home, I talked to God saying, “It’s you, right? It was you disguised as her.”

Light is the main theme of Epiphany. The light of Christ will shine through the darkness of our  hearts. We need the light every day because darkness continues to try to extinguish the light. We struggle with darkness, but it will never overcome the light (John 1:5).  Phyllis Anderson who was the President of Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary (2005-2013) said, “Christ shines most clearly for us when we are most keenly aware of the depth of human suffering, loneliness, grief and shame. Don’t be afraid of the dark. It is where you find God.”  What is your Epiphany? Which star are you following? In what unexpected places have you discovered God?

Soli Deo Gloria,

Young Chung, Interim Ministry Associate at Immanuel Lutheran, Wadena