If Only This Would Happen

18 Feb

Jesus took Peter, James, and John
and led them up a high mountain apart by themselves.
And he was transfigured before them,
and his clothes became dazzling white,
such as no fuller on earth could bleach them.
Then Elijah appeared to them along with Moses,
and they were conversing with Jesus.
Then Peter said to Jesus in reply,
“Rabbi, it is good that we are here!
Let us make three tents:
one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.”
He hardly knew what to say, they were so terrified.
Then a cloud came, casting a shadow over them;
then from the cloud came a voice,
“This is my beloved Son. Listen to him.”
Suddenly, looking around, the disciples no longer saw anyone
but Jesus alone with them.  (Mk 9:2-8)

We often tell ourselves that “things would be different” if God would just speak directly to us, if God would just send down lightning bolts from on high, if God would just lead us with pillars of fire, and the like.  Truth be told, that would make no difference.

After all, those things happened to God’s people in the past.  They ended up doing whatever they wanted anyway.  Some of the people who heard the words of God actively worked to remove Jesus and have Him crucified.

We have to quit looking at what can change us externally and get busy looking at what we need to do internally.  When we accept the responsibility for our own words and actions, we will make major strides in our faith life.

We do not need the lightning bolts or pillars of fire or voices from on high.  God speaks to us in the silence of our hearts.  What we need to do is train ourselves to listen.

Listening is a skill that is lacking in many people.  I chuckled heartily the other day when I ran across a meme on Facebook which stated “Not sure if he was listening or just waiting for his turn to talk.”

If we are going to get anywhere in our relationship with God, we are going to need to develop better listening skills.  God does speak.  It is up to us to listen.

FAITH ACTION:  In quiet prayer, listen for the Lord.  Heed God as He speaks to you today.