Listen

Then a cloud overshadowed them, and a voice spoke from the cloud, “This is my Son, whom I dearly love. Listen to him!” Suddenly, looking around, they no longer saw anyone with them except Jesus.

Mark 9:7-8

Think

As this story of Jesus’ transfiguration continues, now we have the voice of God on top of everything else we have already experienced. We are told to listen to Jesus, but before that we are reminded of how much love there is for God’s Son. Can you envision that kind of love? It’s the kind of love a perfect parent has for their child. It’s also the way God loves you.

It is hard sometimes to hear and feel the love of God when there are loud and forceful issues present. Remembering that God loves us, period, can be difficult to do in times of strife and fear.

Remember those special moments where you are freely given space to be yourself, especially in the presence of Jesus and God. That’s what unconditional love feels like. God wants the real version of ourselves, not the make-believe version. Who do you want to be in God’s presence? Because it is always up to us to decide.

Tempest Brevard

Pray

Jesus, continue to remind me of the great love that you have presented to me in special moments and also in times of fear, tiredness, and confusion. This is the love of an ever-present God. Amen.

Go

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God — what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Romans 12:2 (NRSV)