God, please shut me up

Have you ever had the idea that you would do something for God?

Have you ever felt confident that you had something to offer to Jesus?

Have you ever felt certain that you knew what God wanted you do?

Have you ever thought that there was something you could do that was more valuable than pure worship?

*raising hand*

guilty.

Look at this passage in Matthew…

“And after six days, Jesus took with Him Peter and James, and John his brother, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. And He (Jesus) was transfigured before them and His face shone like the sun and His clothes became white as light. And, behold, there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with Him. And Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good that we are here. If You wish, I will make three tents here, one for You and one for Moses and one for Elijah.” He was still speaking when, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased, listen to Him.” When the disciples heard this, they fell on their faces and were terrified. But Jesus came and touched them, saying, “Rise and have no fear.” And when they lifted up their eyes, they saw no one but Jesus.” Matt. 17:1-8

I love Peter.

He was still speaking…

Jesus is being transfigured before them, an amazing experience – seeing Jesus in His radiant glory, and then suddenly two of the fathers of the faith appear next to Him… I mean – WOW.

And, Peter, bless his heart, can only think of how he can serve Jesus. “It is good that we are here!! We can help you!” I know Peter’s heart was in the right place, just as our hearts are usually in the right place when we are searching for ways that we can serve in our churches or communities or families. His heart was in the right place, but it seems to me that his focus on serving, on what he could do, made him miss out on the miracle Jesus was offering.

And then, “he was still speaking…” when God’s voice interrupted.

And, just like that, I am convicted in my spirit.

How often am I still speaking, still rambling, still praying and talking about all the things that I can do or want to do for God when what I SHOULD be doing is listening and worshipping and focusing my full attention on Him?!?

It is not wrong to want to serve, and it is absolutely something we are called to do, but, to me, this passage points out that our job, first and foremost is to worship Jesus Christ.

When our serving, or our desire to serve, or our need to do something practical, outweighs our desire to worship, something is out of balance. This passage reminds me, of course, of the Mary/Martha story, where Jesus tells Martha that her sister has chosen “what is better.”

Sometimes I think we forget that God doesn’t need us. Our value to Him is not in anything that we accomplish for Him, our value to Him is solely in our worship.

Peter was still speaking when God interrupted, and then the disciples fell on their faces in terror.

When they saw Jesus transfigured, their immediate reaction was not worship and awe, but a need to serve Him somehow. It makes me think of how I might act if Mother Teresa or Michelle Obama came to my house. “Please have a seat. Can I get you something to drink? Would you like something to eat? Please let me take your coat.” I would fumble over myself trying to serve and impress.

But when God speaks, we are compelled to shut up and fall on our faces and listen.

When the disciples finally look up, they only see Jesus. We no longer have to rely on the law and the prophets, as suggested by Moses and Elijah, because all of that became fulfilled in Jesus. All of that striving and hoping… all of that doing and perfecting and failing and fear… all of it became wrapped up in the person of Christ. He is the end all and be all of everything.

I firmly believe that God appreciates it when we serve. I believe that He uses us to be His “hands and feet” here on earth. But, even more, I believe that He loves it when we choose to listen and worship.

The truth is – anyone can serve. You do not have to believe in God to make an incredible, meaningful difference in this world. You do not have to know Jesus in order to change lives for the better. But you DO have to believe in God in order to hear His voice and you DO have to know Christ in order to worship Him.

Have you let your desire to serve God get in the way of worshipping Him? Have you allowed your need to offer practical help become more important than sitting and listening to Him?

This week I am challenging myself, and I would challenge you, to take time every day for worship and to also ask Him to reveal whether any of your service may be more for you than for Him.

Let my cry come before you, O lord; give me understanding according to your word! let my plea come before you; deliver me according to your word. My lips will pour forth praise for you teach me your statutes. My tongue will sing of your word, for all your commandments are right. Let your hand be ready to help me, for I have chosen your precepts. I long for your salvation, O Lord, and your law is my delight. Let my soul live and praise you and let your rules help me. I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek your servant, for I do not forget your commandments. ~ Psalm 119:169-176