Tomorrow (January 6th) is traditionally known as the Day of the Epiphany, or the twelfth day of Christmas. Legend says that it was on this day that the three Kings (or wise men) visited the baby Jesus.
But nowadays, when we speak of an epiphany, we generally mean that critical moment of realization, when we finally figure something out, an "aha moment" if you will. In our culture, we tend to think of an epiphany as something that we just happen upon, rather than something we seek out.
But here's the deal, I'm not so sure this should be the case. After all, did those three Kings just run into their divine manifestation? Heavens No! They were students of scripture. They were eagerly anticipating the birth of this divine child, and when they stepped out on their journey, they found themselves WAY out of their comfort zone, yet they fully anticipated their epiphany. They kept their eyes on that star in pursuit of a divine manifestation.
So with that in mind, could the reason we don't experience more "aha moments" in our lives be because we do so little to prepare ourselves? It's so much easier to be skeptical than to be expectant... it takes so much less effort to lay back and wait, than to pursue... and let's face it, it's nice and cushy in our comfort zone.
But what if this year could be different? What if we were to finally understand that we might have to actually make the journey in order to receive the epiphany? After all, the three kings knew for certain that the infant child wasn't going to come to them. But they were willing to take the trip to find him, and they set out in full expectation that they'd in fact discover their divine manifestation.
Sometimes it will in fact just appear seemingly out of the blue, but other times... most of the time in fact, you'll need to do a little leg work to find it.
So start seeking YOUR "aha moments"...
Venture out of your little comfort zone this year
LOOK for the star,
and dare to go after it!
Any thoughts or comments? I'd love for you to share them below!
But here's the deal, I'm not so sure this should be the case. After all, did those three Kings just run into their divine manifestation? Heavens No! They were students of scripture. They were eagerly anticipating the birth of this divine child, and when they stepped out on their journey, they found themselves WAY out of their comfort zone, yet they fully anticipated their epiphany. They kept their eyes on that star in pursuit of a divine manifestation.
So with that in mind, could the reason we don't experience more "aha moments" in our lives be because we do so little to prepare ourselves? It's so much easier to be skeptical than to be expectant... it takes so much less effort to lay back and wait, than to pursue... and let's face it, it's nice and cushy in our comfort zone.
But what if this year could be different? What if we were to finally understand that we might have to actually make the journey in order to receive the epiphany? After all, the three kings knew for certain that the infant child wasn't going to come to them. But they were willing to take the trip to find him, and they set out in full expectation that they'd in fact discover their divine manifestation.
So here's my 2012 challenge to you as well as for me;
Anticipate your epiphany!
PREPARE to receive it!
PREPARE to receive it!
Sometimes it will in fact just appear seemingly out of the blue, but other times... most of the time in fact, you'll need to do a little leg work to find it.
So start seeking YOUR "aha moments"...
Venture out of your little comfort zone this year
LOOK for the star,
and dare to go after it!
Any thoughts or comments? I'd love for you to share them below!
Wow! Thanks for that powerful food for thought. I will keep this thought in my head and heart!
ReplyDeleteGreat post - got me thinking which leads me to conclude that I don't so much see the journey as steping out of my comfort zone. It's more like making a tentative action plan to find something. Once you've started looking, you discover new information which leads you closer to your goal.
ReplyDeleteGreat insight Gail- I like your thinking!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing!
Kat
There's an old proverb about a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. That first step can sometimes be a doozy, with lots of angst, people telling me I'm going in the wrong direction, and fear of leaving my "comfort zone", even if it isn't all that comfortable, at least it's familiar. But I've discovered that if I just swing that foot out in front of me one time, the other foot naturally wants to swing forward too. Take two steps and I pick up momentum. One step at a time. And I find it helps to look back once in a while and see how far I've come.
ReplyDeleteThanks for helping me get my spirit in gear today!
I agree Diane- looking back once in a while is a terrific exercise! Thanks for commenting! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for not being afraid to post a faith based thought. Your words are so profound and I am going to copy them off and keep them in my prayer book to look back on at times when taking a new step is frightening.
ReplyDeleteWonderful, inspiring post!!
ReplyDeleteThanks! You are absolutely right that we need to seek out and work toward our "aha moments". Have a great day!
ReplyDeleteThanks guys! So glad you agree! :)
ReplyDeleteWell said Thank you.
ReplyDeleteOooooh is this a timely one. I've sort of "fallen into" long arm quilting for others, but this past week I actually ordered car door magnets for four doors. (both sides of two vehicles), and business cards with prices printed on the back. So I'm now committing myself to actually looking for more work...just what I need right now...more on my plate!
ReplyDeleteAnd I have a quilting book in mind (technique not printed in any book I've found yet) and the sample chapters are finished. I just need to do the pictures of the construction process. I hate to tell you how long I've just needed to do the process photos, but I'm committing publically to making that journey and contacting a publisher. I may get to paper my walls with rejection letters, bu I'll be doing something proactive.
Tommie that sounds SO exciting! I wish you much success and make sure to let us know when how the process goes! :)
ReplyDeleteVery inspiring words of faith. Love it!
ReplyDeleteGod Bless!
Diane