Sacred Moments

 We live in a world that doesn’t appreciate silence. Everywhere you go, there is noise. If you go to the grocery store, there is music, or in the mall, you will be serenaded by some tune. People listen to the radio in their cars or some devices when walking or running. Most of us don’t know what to do with silence.

There are moments when words are inadequate—such a moment happened to Peter on the Mountain when he witnessed Jesus’ glory. It was as if the spiritual curtain were drawn back and Jesus’ glory shown forth. His glorified body radiated his clothing, and Matthew says, “His face shown like the sun” (17:2). It was only a tiny glimpse of Jesus’ heavenly glory and what his future glory will be like, but what a glimpse it was. Peter later wrote about what he saw that day and never forgot it (1 Peter 1:7).

At one point, Moses and Elijah also appeared in splendor and talked with Jesus about his impending death and resurrection. Though both men had been gone from the earth for nearly 1000 years, they were before Peter’s eyes, talking with Jesus. Peter hardly knew how to contain himself, so he said to Jesus, “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” (Luke 9:33). Luke adds that Peter didn’t know what he was saying. Jesus never answered Peter, and I’m sure Peter realized this moment would have been better without words.

Many years later, Peter did some thinking about what he experienced that day, and he says that he, John, and James were eyewitnesses of his majesty. Here is what he said, “For he received honor and glory from God the Father when the voice came to him from the Majestic Glory, saying, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him, I am well pleased.” We ourselves heard this voice that came from heaven when we were with him on the sacred mountain” (2 Peter 1:16-18).

I encourage you this week to sit in contemplation of who Jesus is. He said he is the bread of life, the living water, the light, the way, and the truth. He is the rest we long for and the peace we search for. Sit quietly and let the awe of God’s presence overwhelm you.

The Destructive Power of Jealousy

Jealousy is a reaction to something that seems unfair. We envy the position of another, and because we cannot change anything, we get angry. If we stay angry, we will become hostile, surprising even ourselves with what we can do. When a person is envious, it is as if they have tunnel vision. They cannot see what they have, but only what the other has; they obsess about it.

This was the battle that King Saul fought when it came to David. Everything about David made him jealous. After David killed Goliath, the women sang this song: “Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands.” (1 Sam 18:7).

It was a song linking Saul and David together in this victory. Still, jealousy would not allow Saul to enjoy the win even though he participated in the victory over the enemy. He could have rejoiced in the victory and shared the success, but he couldn’t. Jealousy always leads to anger, as it did for Saul. He was furious; this refrain displeased him greatly. “They have credited David with tens of thousands,” he thought, “but me with only thousands. What more can he get but the kingdom?” (1 Sam 18:8).

Saul became so angry that he hurled a spear at David while he was playing the lyre. Jealousy leads to anger, and anger leads to hostility. Goliath never had the chance to throw his spear at David, but Saul did. It will only worsen because Saul refuses to deal with the root of the problem.

Solomon wrote, “Anger is cruel and fury overwhelming, but who can stand before jealousy? (Proverbs 27:4). Jealousy is the gasoline that fuels anger and will not let the fire die out. Jealousy harms our health, “A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones” (Prov 14:30).

Jealousy and anger are strong emotions that hijack our brains and make us say and do things we would never think of doing in our everyday minds. When we realize that we feel jealousy, it is time to do the hard work of getting rid of it. First, pray and ask God to change your heart. Second, approach the person with whom you are jealous and show kindness. Jealously wants to separate us, but kindness brings us together. Nevertheless, overcoming jealousy and anger is hard work, and we must be willing to persevere until we have rid ourselves of the poison of jealousy.