Look Up
Have you ever made a fashion choice you were confident looked good, but looking back, you're mortified by it?
Being confident about something doesn’t necessarily mean you’re right.
This lesson also applies to following Jesus. We can be convinced that God wants us to do one thing and still be wrong because sometimes we need to do a better job of stopping and listening. If God has been faithful to us, what does faithfulness look like from us?
If God really is who He says He is, what does He actually want from me? We all feel this whether we’re trying to make a decision about work, our kids, or a relationship. We don’t want to get it wrong. The challenge is that sometimes we don’t always get an answer to our question. And when we don’t get an answer, we tend to answer it ourselves.
If God really is who He says He is, what does He actually want from me? We all feel this whether we’re trying to make a decision about work, our kids, or a relationship. We don’t want to get it wrong. The challenge is that sometimes we don’t always get an answer to our question. And when we don’t get an answer, we tend to answer it ourselves.
We start deciding before we start listening.
RECEIVE
Matthew 17
After six days Jesus took with him Peter, James and John the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. 2 There he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light. 3 Just then there appeared before them Moses and Elijah, talking with Jesus.
Peter didn’t orchestrate this. John and James didn’t ask for this, but they got to see God in a way they hadn’t before. Not because they planned it, but because they said yes to the invitation.
Matthew 17
After six days Jesus took with him Peter, James and John the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. 2 There he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light. 3 Just then there appeared before them Moses and Elijah, talking with Jesus.
Peter didn’t orchestrate this. John and James didn’t ask for this, but they got to see God in a way they hadn’t before. Not because they planned it, but because they said yes to the invitation.
Some moments in our lives are simply meant to be received.
That’s where faithfulness begins, not with everything I can do for God, but by responding to His invitation. God moves toward us before we ever figure out how to move toward Him.
And some of us think, “Okay, but isn’t receiving passive? I thought this was about faithfulness, about what I do for You?” But receiving IS faithfulness. “God, You lead. I’ll follow.”
LISTEN
Now, receiving the moment is one thing. Knowing what to do with it is another.
Matthew 17
4 Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you wish, I will put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.”
Peter isn’t disobeying Jesus. He’s making plans for Jesus. He’s not rejecting Jesus. He’s trying to help Jesus. He’s trying to be… faithful. That’s what makes this so important.
And some of us think, “Okay, but isn’t receiving passive? I thought this was about faithfulness, about what I do for You?” But receiving IS faithfulness. “God, You lead. I’ll follow.”
LISTEN
Now, receiving the moment is one thing. Knowing what to do with it is another.
Matthew 17
4 Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you wish, I will put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.”
Peter isn’t disobeying Jesus. He’s making plans for Jesus. He’s not rejecting Jesus. He’s trying to help Jesus. He’s trying to be… faithful. That’s what makes this so important.
Peter has gone from receiving the moment to managing the moment.
The moment didn’t require Peter’s plan. It required Peter’s attention.
Matthew 17
5 While he was still speaking, a bright cloud covered them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!”
Sometimes we confidently decide what faithfulness should look like before we’ve actually listened to Jesus. We make plans, we make decisions.
Peter’s busy talking about all the things he could do for Jesus, and the voice of the Faith essentially says, “You don’t need to make plans for Him; you need to LISTEN to Him.”
STAY CLOSE
We hear, “Listen to Jesus,” and we make it more mysterious than it has to be. We should ask God those questions, pray for direction, and ask Him to lead us.
Matthew 17
5 While he was still speaking, a bright cloud covered them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!”
Sometimes we confidently decide what faithfulness should look like before we’ve actually listened to Jesus. We make plans, we make decisions.
Peter’s busy talking about all the things he could do for Jesus, and the voice of the Faith essentially says, “You don’t need to make plans for Him; you need to LISTEN to Him.”
STAY CLOSE
We hear, “Listen to Jesus,” and we make it more mysterious than it has to be. We should ask God those questions, pray for direction, and ask Him to lead us.
While you’re asking Jesus what’s next, don’t miss what He’s telling you now.
Some things we don’t have to wonder about, and sometimes it’s easier to focus on what we don’t know than to obey what we do. Don’t let what you don’t know keep you from listening and being faithful with what you do know. Faithfulness is staying close enough to Jesus to listen to Him.
Peter’s problem isn’t that he appreciates the moment. The problem is when remembering what God has done becomes trying to hold onto what God did.
Peter’s problem isn’t that he appreciates the moment. The problem is when remembering what God has done becomes trying to hold onto what God did.
It’s easier to trust where God has been than where He’s going.
We can see where God has been, but where He’s going? We have to trust and follow.
TRUST
Matthew 17
6 When the disciples heard this, they fell facedown to the ground, terrified. 7 But Jesus came and touched them. “Get up,” he said. “Don’t be afraid.” 8 When they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus.
They’re terrified. They hit the ground. And honestly, this is where listening gets difficult. You are not the one leading, and that can be scary. That’s where fear comes in. And if we’re not careful, fear can start making decisions for us. Don’t confuse faithfulness with fear trying to stay in control.
Look at what Jesus does. He comes close. He touches him. He says, “Get up. Don’t be afraid.” Jesus doesn’t remove everything Peter could be afraid of. He reminds Peter that he doesn’t have to face it without Him.
Matthew 17
6 When the disciples heard this, they fell facedown to the ground, terrified. 7 But Jesus came and touched them. “Get up,” he said. “Don’t be afraid.” 8 When they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus.
Peter wanted a plan. Jesus gave him something better: His presence.
TRUST
Matthew 17
6 When the disciples heard this, they fell facedown to the ground, terrified. 7 But Jesus came and touched them. “Get up,” he said. “Don’t be afraid.” 8 When they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus.
They’re terrified. They hit the ground. And honestly, this is where listening gets difficult. You are not the one leading, and that can be scary. That’s where fear comes in. And if we’re not careful, fear can start making decisions for us. Don’t confuse faithfulness with fear trying to stay in control.
Look at what Jesus does. He comes close. He touches him. He says, “Get up. Don’t be afraid.” Jesus doesn’t remove everything Peter could be afraid of. He reminds Peter that he doesn’t have to face it without Him.
Matthew 17
6 When the disciples heard this, they fell facedown to the ground, terrified. 7 But Jesus came and touched them. “Get up,” he said. “Don’t be afraid.” 8 When they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus.
Peter wanted a plan. Jesus gave him something better: His presence.
Trust means my fear doesn’t have to lead me anymore.
If you are trying to figure something out and feel like Jesus hasn’t given you the answer yet, maybe He’s giving you Himself, so LOOK UP.
Look up because being faithful was never about knowing everything that comes next.
We can look back and say that God has been good, but we also need to be faithful with what Jesus puts in front of us.
Look up because being faithful was never about knowing everything that comes next.
- Look up and receive what He’s giving.
- Look up and listen to Him.
- Look up and trust the One who’s leading.
We can look back and say that God has been good, but we also need to be faithful with what Jesus puts in front of us.
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