Grace and peace to you on this very special
Sunday as we are reminded of Jesus being
glorified on the Mount of Transfiguration.
What a foretaste of the glory to come for all
of us that anticipate Christ’s imminent return.
After reading Luke’s account of this powerful
and dynamic event (Luke 9:28ff.) it had the
great effect of uplifting me today. Indeed, I’d
been burdened by our news reports from
the great country of the Ukraine. I hadn’t prior
been aware of how negatively it’d affected me.
Now, I’d have to say, I was heavily burdened
and part of me, continues to cry out to Jesus.
I just can’t help it. I’ll need worship today…
Priscilla and I have a special regard for the
people of the Ukraine, because, in the early
1990s, Priscilla was instrumental in bringing a
fine gentleman we knew into a personal relationship
with Christ Jesus in Peru—though Canadian—this
man was “Ukrainian to the Bone”, loveable, and just
a fine human being. He was delightful, but troubled.
Like many of us, at times, he had been tossed
around by the world—betrayed, lied to, deceived,
defrauded, finally abandoned. He had left Canada
for a new life in Peru and was totally left out in the
cold. Though he had had a successful professional
career in Canada, he planned to leave for good. In
the process he was defrauded of all his assets…and
finally…felt safe enough to talk about it with Priscilla.
He’d been so successful in life prior, he had had no
time for God, Jesus, or the Bible.
That being said, he had a huge reserve of spirituality
that was released when he made his confession for
Christ—and focused in on what God had to say about
his situation. I truly believe that the best of his Ukrainian
Orthodox background became released as he personally
surrendered to Jesus. It was a powerful reserve that
immediately took hold of him and made him joyful,
without a care. Yes, the hurt would return from time
to time, but prayer times and conversation with us really
brought him through rough moments. We thought in time
he’d return back to Canada, but he remained in Peru
and made a very successful life there. Later, he married
a wonderful Peruvian Christian lady and has had a more
rewarding life there in Lima than he ever had in Canada.
I can only say—God has His way in our lives…
From a slightly different vantage point I wanted to share
something that brings together the story of this gentleman
and the transfiguration of Jesus on the mountain.
Our friend, of course, never experienced transfiguration,
but, in the introduction he received to the Jesus of the
Scriptures, he experienced definite transformation.
He didn’t “get religion”, so to speak—but rather, a
powerful dose of the Holy Spirit which made him
literally glow. His personality radiated energy. He
immediately began to experience “glory” in his daily
living. Nothing could hold him down. As long as
Jesus was with him, he was simply okay, no matter
what was happening. He was able to let go of the
things that held him captive prior. In the midst of
overwhelming burdens, his relationship with Jesus
was all he needed to be motivated daily and take
on all challenges. Priscilla and I were just amazed
at the transformation.
As Jesus provided a brief introduction to the glory
we will experience when we see Him with our own
eyes (one day soon) and reside in that magnificent
glory—that divine glory, also, was passed on to our
dear friend. He still exudes that wonderful glow in
his daily living. Though we are thousands of miles
away from each other we still keep in touch, especially
on birthdays, after all these years, now decades.
We live in a world that has the tendency to bring us
down, because of the reality of human sin in the
world all around us. The Book of Revelation suggests
that the world is indeed Satan’s realm (ch. 12).
However, as our dear friend would affirm, God is in
control, nonetheless, and we need to commend all
our concerns, our fears, our unbelief, into His almighty
hands. He’s so faithful to perform…but we must trust
Him with all our hearts, and know, He answers prayer
and loves it when we call upon His name. Tell Him
what’s going on, what you need, He’ll be faithful…
Cordially,
Tom
Leave a Reply