Change
Peter and John and James went with Jesus to the mountain to pray.
Luke 9:29 And while He was praying, the appearance of His face became different, and his clothing became white and gleaming.
Prayer changes us. You say you want to talk to God, and the cool thing is that you can. And it will change you. You find yourself listening for the still small voice. Following your hunches and God given instincts, and it is good.
It is funny because our human nature seeks a rhythm, a routine. We want to know what to expect. We would prefer no big surprises when thinking about how our day will be. We like to experience the change and the adventure vicarously.
I think that is why everyone loves to read J.R. Tolkien. The first couple of pages of The Hobbit are completely engaging in describing us and how we want to live our lives. There is a hole with a round door like a porthole. It is a snug, comfortable, wonderful little place called Bag-end under The Hill. Bilbo, we are told, is well-to-do, has wardrobes and rooms full of clothes. Bilbo doesn’t do or experience anything unexpected.
Suddenly dwarves begin to show up, a few at a time. Bilbo is making breakfast for everyone and Gandalf shows up and soon the adventure begins. We love it. How awesome would that be if a fantastic, exciting adventure would simply manifest itself at our door one morning. My theory is, if it actually did, we wouldn’t go. We have responsibilities, a mortgage, a job, and obligations. We have stuff to take care of. What if something happened that was beyond our control?
So we read about it, cheer on the little guy. He does come home. His relatives are selling all his stuff in an auction. He survives the adventure. But he is changed.
I wonder if I would make breakfast for a bunch of strangers at my door. I wonder if I would take off on the adventure of my life if God asked me to. Part of me wants to. I’m sure I would be changed.
Newsong
