While he was still speaking, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and behold, a voice out of the cloud said, “This is My beloved Son, with whom I am well-pleased; listen to Him!” St. Matthew 17:5 (NAU)
The six year old stood straight and tall. He didn’t understand all the meaning of this new experience but the teacher had said stand and the whole class was standing. The music was beautiful and the woman who sang, did so with passion. The whole experience made chills wash over his body. When she finished singing, everybody clapped and cheered. Then the teacher said, “Let’s say the Pledge of Allegiance.” When these first grade students had finished the pledge, the boy ran to the teacher’s desk and exclaimed, “Mrs. Jones, we ought to do this everyday!”
Our world is full of conflicting ideas, experiences and issues. They all scream for our allegiance. Each one wants to be the major influence in our lives. And it is easy to get caught up in contemporary issues that stir our emotions and may have worthy goals. Like Peter, not knowing what to do, we may start in an improper direction. From heaven, God spoke to Peter and told him to listen to his son, Jesus. I believe that is still good counsel even after 2000 years.
Dear Father of heaven, thank you for your gift of Christ. I acknowledge that he is the one I should listen to for my life and ministry. Forgive me for letting other voices influence me at various times. Grant to me the determination and confidence to listen to Jesus as I follow him. Deliver me from all other allegiances, I pray in Jesus’ name. AMEN
Let us praise God for his Word and live by what his Son says,
Pastor Smith