Listen To Him
LENT 2024 | DAY 21
Mark 9:2-13 (NIV)
(Alex Lai, Vice Chairman, Local Church Executive Committee)
When I first read the passage that was assigned to me, I was dumbfounded as it was on the transfiguration of Jesus. To be honest, I struggled with this reflection as this passage is hard to understand.
We are told that Jesus took Peter, James and John to a mountain to pray. While Jesus was praying, He was transfigured and His clothes became radiant. After that, Moses and Elijah appeared and strangely, Peter suggested building three tents for them. Then, a voice from the cloud said, “This is my son, whom I love. Listen to Him!” Then, Moses and Elijah disappeared.
If I were present at the scene, I would be overwhelmed and not know how to react. In an attempt to make sense of the situation, I would probably be like Peter and utter something that does not make sense. Therein lies the problem. In my struggle to understand and make sense of the complex and challenging world that we live in, I tend to frame my perceptions and thoughts through my own lens and experiences. I need to have an answer to every question and understand everything that I am going through. But just as the voice from the cloud said, I simply need to listen to Jesus and obey what He says. I need to interpret our world through His Word.
When I left the banking industry 18 months ago to join a multi-family office, I took a leap of faith as that would mean not drawing a monthly salary. At that time, I felt God assuring me that this was the right move for me. After six months, the client accounts were still not set up and the situation looked bleak, doubts began to creep in and I wrestled with God every day. Why was God not answering my prayers? Why did God not stop me from changing jobs? Why was God not helping me? But in the midst of my despair, I sensed God’s assurance that all would be fine. I remember God’s promise that though we may stumble, we will not fall, for He holds us by the hand. Eventually, the client accounts were set up successfully, and God even opened new doors and blessed me with new clients. In every situation that I do not understand, I just have to listen to Him, to trust and obey Him.
DISCUSSION POINTERS:
1. Are you facing challenges in your workplace that you do not understand?
2. What is God saying to you about your situation?
3. Will you listen to Him and obey what He says?
