What Changes Us?

Prayer-Soldier · Posted: Sun Feb 25, 2018 2:40 pm Post subject: What Changes Us?

What Changes Us?

Scripture:

After these things, God tested Abraham, and said to him: Abraham, Abraham. And he answered: Here I am. He said to him: Take your only begotten son Isaac, whom you love, and go into the land of vision: and there you shall offer him for an holocaust upon one of the mountains which I will show you.

And they came to the place which God had shown him, where he built an altar, and laid the wood in order upon it: and when he had bound Isaac his son, he laid him on the altar upon the pile of wood.

And he put forth his hand and took the sword, to sacrifice his son. And behold an angel of the Lord from heaven called to him, saying: Abraham, Abraham. And he answered: Here I am. And he said to him: Lay not your hand upon the boy, neither do you any thing to him: now I know that you fear God, and have not spared your only begotten son for my sake. Abraham lifted up his eyes, and saw behind his back a ram among the briers sticking fast by the horns, which he took and offered for a holocaust instead of his son.

And the angel of the Lord called to Abraham a second time from heaven, saying: By my own self have I sworn, said the Lord: because you have done this thing, and have not spared your only begotten son for my sake: I will bless you, and I will multiply your seed as the stars of heaven, and as the sand that is by the sea shore: your seed shall possess the gates of their enemies. And in your seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed, because you have obeyed my voice.
( Genesis 22:1-2, 9a, 10-13, 15-18 )

If God be for us, who is against us? He that spared not even his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how has he not also, with him, given us all things? Who shall accuse against the elect of God? God that justifies. Who is he that shall condemn? Christ Jesus that died, yea that is risen also again; who is at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us.
(Romans 8:31B-34)

And his garments became shining and exceeding white as snow, so as no fuller upon earth can make white. And there appeared to them Elias with Moses; and they were talking with Jesus. And Peter answering, said to Jesus: Rabbi, it is good for us to be here: and let us make three tabernacles, one for you, and one for Moses, and one for Elias. For he knew not what he said: for they were struck with fear. And there was a cloud overshadowing them: and a voice came out of the cloud, saying: This is my most beloved son; hear him. And immediately looking about, they saw no man any more, but Jesus only with them. And as they came down from the mountain, he charged them not to tell any man what things they had seen, till the Son of man shall be risen again from the dead. And they kept the word to themselves; questioning together what that should mean, when he shall be risen from the dead.
(Mark 9:2-10)

Reflection:

If we wrote a story about our lives, we would not include every word spoken or describe every moment, rather, we would focus on the significant events, the moments which define us, and perhaps circumstances and choices which influenced or determined the direction of our journey. We would include the moments which reveal who we are, what tempered us, what enabled us to grow, or what may have held us back.

Defining moments are those where something of significance is set in motion. For the journey of Abraham, such a moment was his obedience to God. In that moment, Abraham trusted God and was rewarded for that trust, but the moment defined more than the life of Abraham. It also influenced the lives of his decedents as well as those who would come to interact with them. From that moment, lives were touched in a way which has rippled for thousands of years to this very moment and the eyes which are reading these words now, for if the event had not happened then, had it not held significance through the generations, these words would not be assembled as they are now, nor would they be read with any interest.

The story of Abraham and Isaac represents a relationship with God. It is a relationship between God and a child of His creation. It is a relationship which dramatically changed the life of Abraham from one who was obscure to one who would be referred to as an example of the obedience, trust, dedication, and love which our Creator asks of us.

Throughout the scriptures, we see many stories of those who endeavored to do what is right and just in the eyes of God and those who turned away from Him. Through such stories, we observe the blessings of those who turn to Him and the darkness which comes upon those who ignore or spurn Him.

As we travel the journey of our life, there are moments where we are changed by what we do or by what we observe. In some cases, circumstances swirl around us. Our future appears to spin out of our control. A direction is chosen for us and in the wake, we may feel helpless as to what has happened and what will come. As we observe such events through the lens of the world, we judge such moments from how they add or detract from and change our finite journey here. Few consciously look to the meaning in relation to the time beyond this world.

Defining moments are opportunities. We squander some because we do not see their importance and waste others because we do not clearly see the branches and sequels of the path ahead. We do not always comprehend how one choice might become the one which defines our direction for better or worse. We do not consider how such moments can become a blessing or a curse, for we struggle to see beyond the moment, nor can we comprehend and account for all the possible variables which influence us. We are seduced to believe that we can only make our choices and hope for the best because of all which is outside of our control. Sometimes, we feel like we are simply helpless spectators within the life which we lead.

Perhaps this was the feeling of Peter, James, and John as they witnessed the transfiguration of Jesus. They were brought to this place by their Teacher, unprepared for what they were about to see. What they witnessed was the One who taught them reveal the fullness of His form, which was beyond that of physical man. The form revealed was of One filled with the glory and substance of God.

The three disciples knew they witnessed something special, but they did not comprehend the meaning in the moment. They recognized Moses and Elijah, but they did not question how those who passed from the world centuries earlier could now be standing and talking before the disciples and speaking with Jesus. They witnessed in fear, but thought only in terms of their comprehension of worldly concerns. The disciples could only ponder the divine form of their Teacher and the proof before them of God's power of life as revealed through the presence of Moses and Elijah.

They were blessed to witness the moment, but the moment was not only for them. The moment was also for the generations to come. The moment, though held quiet and pondered for a time, was meant to be shared for the blessings of those who were not present so they might discern the meaning from which we all might learn and rejoice. Blessed are those who comprehend the divinity and power of the One who came to save them and the revelation of life which awaits those who believe in Him.

Questions for further reflection:

What obedience does God ask of us?

What blessings does the power of God bring?

What does the presence of Moses and Elijah with the Son of God reveal to us?

May the peace and blessings of the Lord be with you always,
Prayer Soldier