I am so very grateful to know that I am a work 'in progress.' I am not who I was, nor am I yet all that I will be! Over dinner with friends on Sunday evening we were laughing together over the foibles and foolishness of our youth. Some 31 years ago, one of my wife's friends observed some of my youthful 'sins' and remarked to her mother: "Bev could do so much better than Jerry!" I fairly sure that her estimate of me has changed for the better- thank God! Really, thank God.
Are you changing, growing in character and faith OR are you stuck at some moment of glory or failure? There are guys my age (months shy of 50!) who are still living in high school-- still thinking about the big touchdown they caught or the garage band that took up so many nights and filled so many days with dreams. Other lock in on the college years, memories of life 'tween being a kid and a fully responsible adult. Most of us probably can go to some month or year when things came together for us and life was good. Then, too, many of us remember vividly a time when we fell flat on our face, tripped up by sin. Some just keep re-living the failure, telling themselves they are 'history.'
Paul captures the attitude we need saying: I am still not all I should be, but I am focusing all my energies on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I strain to reach the end of the race and receive the prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us up to heaven. (Philippians 3:13-14, NLT) Yesterday's glories and failures are BOTH left behind in pursuit of God's purposes.
Matthew recounts a moment of wonder from Peter's experience. Jesus took Peter, James, and John with him to the mountain where he met with the Father. The account reads: Jesus' appearance changed from the inside out, right before their eyes. Sunlight poured from his face. His clothes were filled with light. Then they realized that Moses and Elijah were also there in deep conversation with him. Peter broke in, “Master, this is a great moment! What would you think if I built three memorials here on the mountain—one for you, one for Moses, one for Elijah?” While he was going on like this, babbling, a light-radiant cloud enveloped them, and sounding from deep in the cloud a voice: “This is my Son, marked by my love, focus of my delight. Listen to him.” (Matthew 17:2-5, The Message) Do you think Peter would have liked to re-live that day again and again? Most likely. Who wouldn't? The Glory of God, the radiance of the Spirit, the voice of God.... But, ministry in the world waited at the foot of the mountain. As glorious as that day was, there were great changes ahead for Peter.
Just as Peter was changed by his experience of the Glory, I'm sure that he was even more transformed by another experience much less glorious, but powerful all the same. Days after that terrible night of Jesus' trial, a night when fear caused Peter to swear that he did not know the Man from Galilee, he was back fishing. The text leads me to think that he was disillusioned, captive of the memories of his perfidy. Then the Resurrected Lord comes to the beach near Capernaum, builds a fire, and leads Peter through an exercise of healing and restoration. Three times Jesus asks him, "Peter, do you love me?" Three times Peter affirms his love with escalating expression of his devotion. (see John 21) Then Jesus commissioned Peter to the work of changing the world - telling Peter that he would serve faithfully until a martyr's death. "Follow me," was his parting word to Peter. And follow he did, around the empire, telling the Story, until the day some thirty or so years later when he was crucified in Rome, just like His Lord- except that he asked to be hung upside down on his cross!
Whether you're 17 or 71, God is not through with you. Whether your life is marked with great success or marred by public failure, you are not through. As long as we live, the Lord has a purpose for us and says, "Follow me!" So, let's press on to gain the prize, the victor's crown that awaits all who faithfully follow Him all the way to Eternity. Need to be changed, transformed in your heart and mind? Learn to live 'in the Spirit.' God is faithful and He will sanctify you. That's right, He will increasingly bring you into a place where you do His will as one who belongs to Him. Let Him change you- from the inside out, starting today.
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In the presence of a holy God,
There's new meaning now to grace;
You took all my sins upon Yourself,
I can only stand amazed.
And I cry holy, holy, holy God,
How awesome is Your name,
Holy, holy, holy God,
How majestic is Your reign;
And I am changed,
In the Presence of a Holy God.
In the presence of Your infinite might,
I'm so small and frail and weak;
When I see Your pow'r and wisdom, Lord,
I have no words left to speak.
In the presence of Your glory,
All my crowns lie in the dust;
You are righteous in Your judgments, Lord,
You are faithful, true, and just.
And I am changed,
In the Presence of a Holy God.
© 1989 Integrity's Praise! Music (c/o Integrity Music, Inc.) / PDI Praise (Admin. by Integrity's Praise! Music) CCLI License No. 810055
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