Encountering God

Today's Celtic reading (see my earlier post for the reference) pointed out that in the story of the Magi, they came, they saw Christ and they gave him gifts. Important to note, however, was the problem that their encounter caused. They went away troubled, not happy, because Herod wanted to use them and they had to go back a different way. That made me think about why I seek encounters with the divine - not to feel good, not in a vain hope that God will do something for me. Encounters with God are meant to challenge, to inspire change in life, so that I can let God be known through me. Boy, is that difficult! Wish me well on this journey.