We are limited, every one of us. There is only so much we can know, so much we can do.
God is not like us. Limitless in time, space, and imagination, God is mighty in ways we cannot fully describe; we can only trust in God's unlimited power.
Power, in God's case, is expressed in unlimited love. Rest now in the all-encompassing love of the Almighty.
For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we had been eyewitnesses of his majesty. For he received honor and glory from God the Father when that voice was conveyed to him by the Majestic Glory, saying, “This is my Son, my Beloved, with whom I am well pleased.” We ourselves heard this voice come from heaven, while we were with him on the holy mountain.
2 Peter 1:16-18
Who or what can we trust? People have asked this question for centuries. Take the community addressed by Peter’s second letter; they were desperately trying to figure out whether accounts they’d heard of Jesus’ life were dependable. The writer reminds them that Jesus is not some fantastic fairy-tale character; real people saw with their own eyes what God did through Christ. Real folks heard God’s voice declare Jesus’ identity.
How do we decide who or what to trust today? We are surrounded by so many voices and perspectives. Sometimes it is even difficult to trust what we see and hear with our own eyes and ears!
But this is faith: straining towards something bigger and more powerful than ourselves. Many times we will wonder, as the community to whom today’s text was written did, what we have gotten ourselves into, if the whole thing is some made-up myth. But if we keep looking and listening, we might be amazed by what we see and hear.
Abby Thornton Hailey
God, sometimes I think faith would be so much easier if I could see you with my own eyes, or hear your voice explain everything I long to know. Even as I ask questions and wrestle to understand who you are, help me trust that you are good, and that I am beloved in your sight. Amen.
Strong is the light that comes from our Creator,
Maker of heaven and earth.
Long is the way that leads from now to forever,
Yet we are not left alone.
Wherever you go and however you travel,
The strong arm of God
Is taking you home.