“We interrupt this program to bring you an important announcement…”
The awareness of my own verbal tendencies made the words God spoke during the transfiguration jump out at me a few days ago while reading Luke chapter 9. Peter, an undaunted extrovert, speaks out in this incredibly holy moment of Jesus talking to Moses and Elijah. Peter suggests a memorial be built to them in the form of 3 sacred tents.
The awareness of my own verbal tendencies made the words God spoke during the transfiguration jump out at me a few days ago while reading Luke chapter 9. Peter, an undaunted extrovert, speaks out in this incredibly holy moment of Jesus talking to Moses and Elijah. Peter suggests a memorial be built to them in the form of 3 sacred tents.
With energy and enthusiasm welling up within him, Peter suggests this, unedited and raw, right there on the spot. The words nearly jumped off the page as I read them. In typical fashion, Peter was talking, taking charge and wanting to make a difference. He wants to memorialize this holy moment by doing something- acting on his gifting. It seems like a good idea to him.
God interrupts Peter’s declaration and speaks, “This is My Son, my chosen one; listen to Him!” Can you imagine Peter’s reaction? Peter wants action. God wants silence. “Listen to my beloved Son, Jesus.” “Be quiet, Peter, listen.”
What is important here? Listen to Him. What? Listen. What is God saying he wants us to do? Listen to Him. Of all the words God could have said right then He chose those. In those words He validates who Jesus is, the chosen one. And, He clearly instructs,revealing what His priorities are. The time for action is later. This hints of what Eli directs young Samuel to do in the I Samuel story –“Speak Lord, for your servant is listening.”
In my heart of hearts, I do want to listen to God. I want to know what He thinks. I need His guidance. I need His wisdom, His presence. But, I also need help jolting me out of my habitual tendencies.
David Benner in his book Sacred Companions suggests these questions to jumpstart attentive listening:
How aware of His presence are you throughout the day?
What makes it difficult for you to be still in the presence of God, to hear His still small voice?
What makes it hard for you to engage in prayer as attentive listening to God as opposed to
simply talking to Him?
What are your internal pulls to speak when you need just to listen?
Jesus Himself asked blind Bartimaeus in Luke 18, ”What do you want me to do for you?”
And, I am curious, When do you most need for God to interrupt you? How might the Holy Spirit be interceding for you right now?
Gail Seidel
Gail Seidel served as Mentor Advisor for Spiritual Formation in the Department of Spiritual Formation and Leadership at Dallas Theological Seminary (DTS) and as an Adjunct Professor in the D Min in Spiritual Formation in the D Min Department at Dallas Theological Seminary. She has a BA in English from the University of Texas, a Masters in Christian Education from Dallas Seminary and a D Min in Spiritual Formation from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. She is a contributor to the textbook, Foundations of Spiritual Formation, Kregel Academic. She served as co-director for Christian Women in Partnership Russia with Entrust, an international church leadership-training mission. She and her husband Andy live in Fredericksburg, Texas. They have 2 married children and 6 wonderful grandchildren--Kami, Kourtney, Katie, Mallory, Grayson, and Avery.
