Alone
Read Mark 9:2-13.
I'm an introvert which means I get my energy renewed by being alone. Extroverts find themselves renewed by being in a crowd, surrounded by others, a situation with introverts find absolutely exhausting. The two "sides" don't often understand each other, but there's nothing wrong with either (even if they rarely understand one another). These are simply different ways God has wired us. If we were all the same, the world would be a pretty boring place.
Being an introvert, I'm naturally drawn to the word "alone" in this passage. But alone in this case doesn't mean "no one else around." "Alone" has a singular focus: Jesus. He took a few of the disciples away from the crowds and the clamor, to a place where they could be alone with each other. Peter, James and John—Jesus' so-called "inner circle"—are there privileged to witness a moment when Jesus' glory "leaked out." He is transfigured before them and he speaks with Moses and Elijah. What they get at the top of that mountain is a glimpse of glory.
It's not something Jesus provided for the crowd. It's not something Jesus gave just Peter. It's something Jesus gave this group of trusted friends but only when they were alone, just the small group of them, at the top of the mountain. Introvert or extrovert—both need time alone with Jesus so that he can show us what he wants to show us and lead us how and where he wants to lead us.
But both of us run the risk of missing that time and these moments. In the midst of glory, we can run the risk of missing Jesus. Introverts sometimes find the quiet so alluring that we immerse ourselves in a book or even The Book, but we fail to look around and see the places in our world where Jesus is present, where Jesus' glory is shining even if it's a bit hidden. (He said he would be seen in the least of these.) Extroverts are sometimes so busy seeking contact with others that often they struggle getting quiet enough to listen, to hear the Voice speaking. (We're told he whispers in a still, small voice.) Whatever our personality, we need to find a way to be alone with Jesus, even if it's in the company of a couple of friends, to seek the things he wants us to see.
When was the last time you were alone with Jesus? When was the last time you were able to hear from him? Not just talk at him, but hear from him?
I'm an introvert which means I get my energy renewed by being alone. Extroverts find themselves renewed by being in a crowd, surrounded by others, a situation with introverts find absolutely exhausting. The two "sides" don't often understand each other, but there's nothing wrong with either (even if they rarely understand one another). These are simply different ways God has wired us. If we were all the same, the world would be a pretty boring place.
Being an introvert, I'm naturally drawn to the word "alone" in this passage. But alone in this case doesn't mean "no one else around." "Alone" has a singular focus: Jesus. He took a few of the disciples away from the crowds and the clamor, to a place where they could be alone with each other. Peter, James and John—Jesus' so-called "inner circle"—are there privileged to witness a moment when Jesus' glory "leaked out." He is transfigured before them and he speaks with Moses and Elijah. What they get at the top of that mountain is a glimpse of glory.
It's not something Jesus provided for the crowd. It's not something Jesus gave just Peter. It's something Jesus gave this group of trusted friends but only when they were alone, just the small group of them, at the top of the mountain. Introvert or extrovert—both need time alone with Jesus so that he can show us what he wants to show us and lead us how and where he wants to lead us.
But both of us run the risk of missing that time and these moments. In the midst of glory, we can run the risk of missing Jesus. Introverts sometimes find the quiet so alluring that we immerse ourselves in a book or even The Book, but we fail to look around and see the places in our world where Jesus is present, where Jesus' glory is shining even if it's a bit hidden. (He said he would be seen in the least of these.) Extroverts are sometimes so busy seeking contact with others that often they struggle getting quiet enough to listen, to hear the Voice speaking. (We're told he whispers in a still, small voice.) Whatever our personality, we need to find a way to be alone with Jesus, even if it's in the company of a couple of friends, to seek the things he wants us to see.
When was the last time you were alone with Jesus? When was the last time you were able to hear from him? Not just talk at him, but hear from him?
Good post
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