Show Notes
In this second week of Lent, we draw inspiration from Luke 9 and the Transfiguration of Jesus. Let us reflect on how we can listen for God’s wisdom and use it to transform our work and family life.
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Episode Transcript
As we continue in Lent, reflecting on our sinfulness and being reminded so clearly of our need for a Savior, we have to acknowledge that mere information, knowing what we should do, is not enough. We need transformation, which comes from the words of God coming alive to us personally through the quickening inspiration of the Holy Spirit, repenting even of our own best efforts to walk in God’s ways, we ask him to speak words of life to us.
A reading from the Gospel of Luke chapter 9 verses 28 to 43.
About eight days after Jesus said this, he took Peter, John and James with him and went up onto a mountain to pray. As he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became as bright as a flash of lightning. Two men, Moses and Elijah, appeared in glorious splendor, talking with Jesus. They spoke about his departure, which he was about to bring to fulfillment at Jerusalem. Peter and his companions were very sleepy, but when they became fully awake, they saw his glory and the two men standing with him. As the men were leaving Jesus, Peter said to him, “Master, it is good for us to be here. Let us put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.” (He did not know what he was saying.)
While he was speaking, a cloud appeared and covered them, and they were afraid as they entered the cloud. A voice came from the cloud, saying, “This is my Son, whom I have chosen; listen to him.” When the voice had spoken, they found that Jesus was alone. The disciples kept this to themselves and did not tell anyone at that time what they had seen.
The next day, when they came down from the mountain, a large crowd met him. A man in the crowd called out, “Teacher, I beg you to look at my son, for he is my only child. A spirit seizes him and he suddenly screams; it throws him into convulsions so that he foams at the mouth. It scarcely ever leaves him and is destroying him. I begged your disciples to drive it out, but they could not.”
“You unbelieving and perverse generation,” Jesus replied, “how long shall I stay with you and put up with you? Bring your son here.”
Even while the boy was coming, the demon threw him to the ground in a convulsion. But Jesus rebuked the impure spirit, healed the boy and gave him back to his father. And they were all amazed at the greatness of God.
One of the greatest challenges for any organization or institution and its leaders is to be able to separate principle from practice. Just because we did things successfully that way for a long time doesn’t mean we should keep repeating the same thing, especially when we start to see diminishing results. The challenge is to look beyond the what to the why. It’s a very human tendency to stick with what we know or what we like.
On the Mount of Transfiguration, Peter was so overwhelmed by the glimpse he was given of Jesus’ full glory that he just wanted to bottle up the experience. Let’s camp out here, he suggested, seeking to erect a monument to a moment. God’s response to the idea: Listen to my son. In this admonition, we see Peter’s memory may be being jogged back to the time when he was first challenged not to rely on merely human understanding and reasoning. Back to when he was a seasoned fisherman who had been out in his boat all night without catching anything. But then Jesus told him to throw out his net on the other side. Peter listened and did what Jesus said with miraculous results. As we face challenges and opportunities at work, market crashes, supply chain headaches, technological innovations, and more. We don’t need to rely solely on our wisdom. Yes, God gifts us with natural talents and abilities we can develop and grow, but he also offers us the supernatural wisdom that only comes as we listen for his voice. That may cause you to do something counterintuitive like closing your fast food business on Sundays. But it’s long proved positive for Chick-fil-A, which remains one of the top chains in the industry while honoring the Sabbath. Knowing God places us in positions that we might not just provide for our own families, but be part of prospering others. How might he be ready to help you be more fruitful in and through your work as you set aside time to listen for his voice?
A reading from the book of Genesis chapter 15, beginning in verse one:
After this, the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision:
“Do not be afraid, Abram.
I am your shield,
your very great reward.”
But Abram said, “Sovereign Lord, what can you give me since I remain childless and the one who will inherit my estate is Eliezer of Damascus?” And Abram said, “You have given me no children; so a servant in my household will be my heir.”
Then the word of the Lord came to him: “This man will not be your heir, but a son who is your own flesh and blood will be your heir.” He took him outside and said, “Look up at the sky and count the stars—if indeed you can count them.” Then he said to him, “So shall your offspring be.”
Abram believed the Lord, and he credited it to him as righteousness.
Let us echo this prayer of the Antiochian Orthodox Church.
Almighty God, our help and refuge, source of wisdom and tower of strength. You know, we can do nothing without your guidance and help. Help us and direct us to divine wisdom and power that we may accomplish whatever we may undertake to do faithfully and diligently, according to your will, so that it may be profitable to us and to others, and to the glory of your holy name. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, now and forever. Amen.
And finally, a reading of the 27th Psalm of David.
The Lord is my light and my salvation—
whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life—
of whom shall I be afraid?
When the wicked advance against me
to devour me,
it is my enemies and my foes
who will stumble and fall.
Though an army besiege me,
my heart will not fear;
though war break out against me,
even then I will be confident.
One thing I ask from the Lord,
this only do I seek:
that I may dwell in the house of the Lord
all the days of my life,
to gaze on the beauty of the Lord
and to seek him in his temple.
For in the day of trouble
he will keep me safe in his dwelling;
he will hide me in the shelter of his sacred tent
and set me high upon a rock.
Then my head will be exalted
above the enemies who surround me;
at his sacred tent I will sacrifice with shouts of joy;
I will sing and make music to the Lord.
Hear my voice when I call, Lord;
be merciful to me and answer me.
My heart says of you, “Seek his face!”
Your face, Lord, I will seek.
Do not hide your face from me,
do not turn your servant away in anger;
you have been my helper.
Do not reject me or forsake me,
God my Savior.
