Pastors Aaron & Nicole Olinski

We've all asked it: Why is this so hard? Why isn’t this working out the way I planned?
Sometimes life feels like a road full of detours, dead ends, and long waits. But what if God is still guiding us—even when the path makes no sense?

There's a powerful story in Matthew 2:11 about the wise men who traveled far just to meet Jesus. They didn’t know exactly where they were going. They didn’t have perfect conditions. But they had a star. And they chose to follow it, no matter what.

It’s the same with us. God has placed a star—a direction, a mission, a next step—in front of each of us. The question is, will we follow it?

1. The Star Represents Your Next Step of Faith

God doesn’t always show us the full picture. He gives us a glimpse. A prompting. A call to move.

And that’s the star. It may not be flashy or obvious. It may not be what you expected. But it’s there, and it’s leading you somewhere worth going.

The wise men could have stopped at any point on their long journey. But they didn’t. They persevered, and that perseverance led them to Jesus. Not just an idea or a concept—but an actual encounter with the Son of God.

2. Stay Focused When Everything Else Tries to Pull You Off Course

Here’s something important: Not every distraction looks bad. Some look like great opportunities. Some might feel easier than the hard path you’re on. But not every opportunity is from God. Some are detours.

Faith journeys are filled with temptation: to quit, to compare, or to settle for something less. The wise men stayed focused on the star despite all of it. That focus is what led them to worship.

“They bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasure chests and gave him gifts…” (Matthew 2:11)

They didn’t talk about how long the journey was. They didn’t make it about them. Their response was worship—pure, honest, unfiltered.

And that’s what real faith does. It shifts the focus off of ourselves and onto the King.

3. Your Faith Journey Might Not Look Like Anyone Else’s

There’s something deeply relatable about the story of Grace Church. Starting in a movie theater in 2010, it took us 11.5 years to finally move into a permanent location. That wasn’t the plan. That wasn’t the dream. And it definitely wasn’t easy.

There were moments we wanted to give up. When nothing worked out. When other churches were acquiring buildings while we were still setting up folding chairs every Sunday.

But we stayed faithful. We kept their eyes on the “star.” And God came through—not when we wanted, but when the timing was right.

4. Faith Doesn’t Always Feel Successful, But It’s Always Worth It

We live in a culture that celebrates outcomes. But God celebrates obedience. And obedience requires trust.

It’s okay if you’re on a journey that feels too long. It’s okay if others seem to be moving faster. If you’re being faithful—God sees that.

The reward isn’t just in the destination. The reward is in the encounter. The wise men didn’t get recognition or applause. They got something better: the presence of Jesus.

5. Run With Endurance—Even When It’s Hard

Hebrews 12:1–2 says: “Let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus…”

That’s the goal. Keep going. Stay focused. Strip off the weight of fear, sin, and comparison. And just keep taking the next step toward the King.

Because the journey will lead somewhere. And that somewhere is Jesus.

So...What Star Has God Put In Front of You?

Maybe it's a new job. A difficult relationship. A calling you’ve been avoiding. Or maybe it’s just the choice to not give up today.

Whatever it is, don’t miss it.

Keep your eyes up. Keep moving forward. The journey might not look like you expected—but the destination is worth everything.

You’ll encounter the King. And that changes everything.