DON’T BE STARSTRUCK

Saturday: 21st December, 2019

Reference text: Luke 1:39-45

Luke 1:43 Why should this great thing happen to me, that my Lord’s mother comes to visit me?

To be starstruck is often used to suggest fascination with famous performers usually in cinema. But today, I wish to extrapolate the definition to include any other person of recognisable higher political or social standing. So imagine your doorbell rang and you opened up to the face of high ranking official or personality whom by virtue of their position or the amount of power they wield, you would never have expected to be at your door.

You might think such a giant chasm or long bridge has to be crossed to create such an encounter, even by chance. Elizabeth’s response to Mary’s visit seems a popular reaction to the situation described above. Her shock at being visited by the bearer of the Ark of the covenant, one elevated to carry in her womb the word made flesh; left her ‘starstruck’.

I appreciate alternative leadership relationships, including those that actually highlight some hierarchy because it ensures order is maintained. However, a person with power should also not be afraid to step down to the level of those ahead of whom they walk. A horizontal relationship should be possible and others must not always be left ‘starstruck’ at their appearance or the sound of their voice.

Today, the statement ‘the word became flesh’ takes on a deeper meaning: it was so fellowship could be established between man and God without any risk to man becoming ‘starstruck’. That lateral interaction is what allows Jesus to stand at the doors of our hearts and knock, knowing that we won’t open up to dazzle and sparkle, but to a friend.

#sly