Three wise men come from the east bringing gifts to the infant Jesus, and in the process receive a gift worth the distance and effort they spent. After depositing their gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh, they in turn receive a gift: They are redirected.

That is what we all get after kneeling before Jesus: we are redirected. That different direction after kneeling before Jesus means that your joy in life will not be in seeking happiness and fulfillment directly, but in intentionally walking the way of service, sacrifice, and surrender. The new direction involves finding the holy in the least expected places, the very places we would most like to avoid.

I. Different Way Of Pain

Jesus redirects us by inviting us to face pain head-on rather than avoiding it, which is the way most people …