Epiphany. In church tradition, that’s the name of the feast celebrated on January 6 to remember the day the Three Wise Men (also known as the Magi) visited the Christ child. It officially marks the end of the Christmas season and begins Carnival season in New Orleans. But why the name “epiphany”?

The epiphany I am most familiar with is an “ah-ha” moment, or a sudden revelation or insight, as in, “I just had an epiphany!” 

I can only imagine the surprise of the Magi when–after looking at biblical prophesy, current events, and the unique astronomical configuration of the stars–they concluded the Jewish Messiah had been born. Wow, what an epiphany that was!

I like to think of an epiphany as God’s wake-up call that spurs us to action. It’s almost as if we are asleep with our eyes closed, then something happens and pop! We jolt out of our slumber, sit straight up with eyes wide open, and see what it is He is calling us to do.

When Esther became queen and Haman plotted against the Jews, she had an epiphany that she was in the unique position to save them. Centuries later, fishermen and tax collectors would suddenly realize that Jesus of Nazareth was more than just a carpenter, and they would drop what they were doing to follow Him. Even those who scoffed at Jesus during his earthly lifetime would have encounters with the risen Christ and become changed forever.

Over my lifetime, I have had a number of wake-up calls leading me to a deeper trust in God and to a life of greater obedience. In some cases, I was called to take action; in others, I was called to be patient and still, and to know He was in control of the situation I was facing.

God is not silent. He speaks to us in many ways. The question is, are we listening? What epiphany have you had recently that is calling you to go deeper with God? If you have unanswered questions about your life, pray for your eyes to be opened to the truth of what God is trying to tell you. According to Scripture (James 1:5) He will always grant us wisdom when that is our prayer.

“For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?’” – Esther 4:14 (NIV)

“When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. They their eyes were opened and they recognized him… – Luke 24: 30-31 (NIV)