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If you are familiar with the liturgical calendar, Lent is the third season, the six week period before Easter.

In some Christian traditions it is a time set aside to prepare for Easter, to celebrate the resurrection; for me, it is a time for spiritual renewal. I want to be ready for the third day.

The word Lent offers a helpful acrostic.

L – Listen

Matthew 17:1-8 is the narrative of the transfiguration when Jesus takes Peter, James, and John by themselves up the “high mountain”.  “And behold, there appeared to them Moses and Elijah …” (verse 3)

Peter recognizing them, gets all excited and offers to build three tents: one for Jesus, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.

But a voice from heaven interrupts, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased;” (verse 5). These words echoing the words spoken at Jesus’s baptism.

If you were unfamiliar with this passage and you read the words, this is my beloved son with whom I am well pleased, what do you think might be the next word, the word telling us how to respond?

Worship him?   Serve him?   Follow him?   Tell others about him?   Obey him?

All good things. But not what the voice of God says.

“This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased;
listen to him.”
Matthew 17:5

Listen to him!

As a child, I was taught to stop, look, and listen before crossing a street or a railroad crossing. Listening was important because often the car or train coming my way was still invisible; looking was not adequate. But the sound warned. I find this helpful in my time in the scriptures now. I need to stop, to pause, to consider, not just read. What am I hearing?

When I open my Bible, I look at (read) the words, but am I listening for the voice of God?

E – Engage

When I’m wanting to develop friendship with another, I often invite them over for coffee. I ask questions. I engage them in conversation. I listen. We get to know each other. As they respond, a friendship blooms.

I love these words spoken about Moses. I want them to describe me too.

“Thus the LORD used to speak to Moses
face to face,
as a man speaks to his friend.”
Exodus 33:11

Engage: ask questions, ponder, journal.

N- Notice

Notice the small words. I’m discovering that God speaks with a loud voice through the small words.

“Do not be conformed to this world,
but
be transformed …”
Romans 12:2 (underline mine)

The small word but is very important in this verse. It’s directing my understanding to being transformed. From my Bible study, I’ve learned that be transformed is in the passive imperative verb tense meaning I need to allow myself to be transformed; I need to allow God to do something in me. The good news of the gospel is highlighted, as I spend time with God listening and engaging, He is doing something in me; He is transforming me. Noticing the small word, but, led to big understanding.

Click on the highlighted link for another illustration of the importance of small words.

Notice the repetitions. Repetition in the scriptures intensify the urgency of the message. In the first three verses of Isaiah 55, the word come appears five times! The concept of listening appears four times! Resulting in my soul being alive.

“Incline your ear, and come to me;
hear, that your soul may live;”
Isaiah 55:3

Notice responses.
Notice the word will. It often points to God’s promises.

T – Trust

When I practice listening, engaging, and noticing, it leads to trust. It leads to pleasing God.

“And without faith (trust) it is impossible to please God …”
Hebrews 11:6

I often pray, God, what would it look like to trust you today?

These four principles are anchoring my time with God and are leading me on a journey to spiritual renewal, of being ready for the third day.

 

Copyright: Sue Tell, March 2023