Tim Hansel once wrote in his book, “Holy Sweat,” that if the devil can’t make you bad he’ll make you busy. I like this quote because it strongly points out the dangers of an overbusy life and the fact that if the devil can make us busy it distracts us from reflection upon what is of God and what is not of God. In my own life I know that at times I have been way too busy. I can handle quite a bit but in the last few years I have come to realize that we meet God in the quiet and not in the chaos. Thus began a ten year process of de-cluttering my life…….and it still goes on. This de-cluttering process is truly a process of prayer but it does begin to create the space needed for prayer, Scripture and reflection.
I love this Transfiguration text in Luke 9. Peter gets so excited that he has to begin a building program and a process to institutionalize what is happening on the mount. This reminds me a great deal of the contemporary church. The contemporary response to Jesus seems to be building programs, church programs and more staff. We wonder why we become distracted. Our focus goes astray.
As Peter is running around with his building program, God speaks from the cloud and says, “This is my Son, the Chosen, listen to Him.” In other words, “Peter, calm down and just enjoy being in the presence of Jesus. Listen to Him. Quit talking and listen!” What God says to Peter He offers to the rest of us. Lent is a gift. Lent is a time to slow down. Lent is a time to take a retreat. Lent is a time for more prayer, greater service, and personal transformation.
How might you slow down for Lent and what might you do to respond to the presence of jesus? May you experience the presence of Jesus of and a joyous renewal in Christ.
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