Nougat 1

We have heard Jesus’ warning to Peter, and heeded its possible impact on our own lives when we’re sifted. But what comes after? Here’s today’s Holy Nougat

““Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift all of you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.”” ‭‭Luke‬ ‭22:31-32‬ ‭NIV‬‬

So often we hear (or read) that our Test should become our Testimony and our Mess our Message. It sounds so cliché but have we given it serious thought or applied it?

To transform tests and messes into testimonies and messages isn’t just a trick of grammar; like changing words from singular to plural (you know: add ‘s’, or add ‘es’, and if it ends with a ‘y’ – then turn the ’y’ to ‘i’ and then add ‘es’). We also undergo a process; but being human, there are differences. No no, it’s not quite as straightforward a formula for most of us.

A. We have to acknowledge that we were/are being sifted. Acknowledging that we’re being sifted says that we can’t manage on our own; but need God’s Spirit with us all the way. This opens us to seek God’s direction for the way out. Isaiah 55 reminds us that God’s ways differ from ours, and with God’s vantage point we can get re-situated; as we often do these days when using our GPS to help us find unknown places.

I’ve got a friend who no longer assumes the direction; but relies on a specific app to say the best route (with or without tolls), advise of delays, diversions or detours, and also warns of radars (ie police speed traps) along the way. What if we reach for God in like manner, rather than wait until we are floundering?

B. When we mess up; don’t wait – repent right away. We have to turn around to Jesus. Part of the difference between Judas and Peter is the approach after sinning. Judas didn’t grasp that he was being sifted; so his ‘regret’ and ‘remorse’ only surfaced *after* Jesus died. There was still scope for him to repent but he was then under attack by the one to whom he sold his values. Peter sinned. Thrice, in fact. In quick succession. And when the reminder came, he wept bitterly. And that’s usually a clear sign of remorse.

C. Remember that Transformation is a process, not a product. Our individuality means that each person’s process differs. We each have a story; ours – not someone else’s. And as we work out our salvation with fear and trembling (Philippians 2:12); we become more and more like the masterpiece God’s created us to be. Can we commit to being patient with ourselves as God’s transformation is being effected in our lives?

D. This is the hard one – We return to our community and share the Good News. Yes, just like Moses went back to Egypt to save his people, the Sychar woman left her water pot to tell the entire community about Jesus and Peter went back to the disciples and led the apostles after Pentecost; so too must we share the good news of God’s grace after our season of sifting. It might not require going into all the details but it could. We are only able to learn from these sinners-turned-saints because of their stories were shared.

N.b.

The rates of change vary as does our own strength, openness and desire to go back to save others. Let’s remember, that in Jesus’ parable, the rich man experiencing the torture of hell sought to save his siblings. We who have experienced God’s grace in our seasons of sifting can do no less.

Wherever we are in this journey, we have the assurance: Jesus is aware of it; He’s praying for us and He desires that we take from our journey the tools to save someone else who’s likely to falter along the way.

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May all we seek be found in Christ