Mark 9:5-6 Peter said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good for us to be here. Let us put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.” ⁶ (He did not know what to say, they were so frightened.)

Ah Peter. How I associate with you. I’ve often said I have no brain to mouth filter. Mostly I just say what’s in my head. It comes tumbling out of my mouth almost before I’ve realized I’m speaking. Frequently this gets me into trouble, or at least causes me to be the point of laughter. Which I don’t really mind – but wish I could figure out how to dam up my words, even for a split second so I can think things through. My blogs are (in general) just a long train of thought. I pray and read my Bible during my devotional time, find a scripture that really spoke to me that day and then start to write. I don’t really think about what I’m saying, instead, I just allow my thoughts to continue to flow through my fingers on my keyboard. Basically, my brain never stops thinking of things to say (type) and in blogging (as in life) I’m not very good at stemming the flow of words.

Take today for example. I read the story of Jesus’ transfiguration (Mark 9). As soon as I read Peter’s response to Jesus suddenly radiating light and speaking to two dead prophets, I was right there with him. If I were faced with the brilliant glory of God, I’m sure I’d say something stupid just like Peter did. I’d probably try to do something with the situation, like Peter’s suggestion that they build houses for the two prophets who showed up. Instead of just allowing myself to be overwhelmed by God’s presence and keeping my mouth shut. I mean, I get why Peter was so frightened – but really, is there a need to say anything at all? That’s a once in a lifetime situation, seeing the glory of God’s son revealed on earth, but I’d probably start rambling on about something silly too.

I know God has things to teach me, to show me in life. I think most of the time I’m too busy listening to my own thoughts to really hear His voice well. There’s a line in a song that I love by Addison Road…”I try to hear from heaven, but I talk the whole time”.

I feel like that’s where I am right now. I’m in my own way trying to grow closer to the Lord. I can’t shut up long enough to really listen for His will. But I want to be there. I want to really know Jesus’ voice. To recognize it like an old friend on the telephone. No introduction needed – to just know that it’s my Lord speaking. The thing about hearing another voice well is that I can’t be speaking. At all. Not to clarify, not to ask questions, not to give my two cents. I need to just stop talking.