Don't fear changes

How have you changed since last year? Maybe you found out that you like carrots, when you used to hate them. Maybe you got taller or lost a tooth. You probably moved up a grade in school.

Some changes happen so slowly, you don't even know it. You can't feel yourself growing, but you see it when you find out your jeans are too short! Other changes happen quickly. This week's Gospel (Mark 9:2-10) talks about a "quick change" in Jesus.

Jesus took Peter, James and John up a high mountain. As they watched, He began to change. His face and clothes got brighter and brighter until the disciples couldn't even look at Him! Moses and Elijah appeared with Jesus, and a voice from heaven said, "This is my beloved Son. Listen to Him." Suddenly, the light went out, and they were alone with Jesus again. "Don't tell anyone about this until I'm in heaven," Jesus told them.

Changes can be scary. If you always carried your teddy bear with you, and now you start to leave him at home, you might feel a little afraid without him. The change in Jesus scared His friends. He had always looked just like them, but now, He looked like God -- and talked to Moses and Elijah, who had died long ago! Peter, James and John must have been scared to see Jesus make such a big change.

Sometimes, it feels safer not to change. Even if you don't NEED your bear like you used to, you don't want to leave him home. You like getting taller but wish you could still wear your favorite old jeans. Jesus' friends were scared that He would start acting like God and leave them. They wanted Him to stay.

Even when it's scary, changing can be fun. Getting taller means you can dunk a basketball more easily and buy bigger clothes. Leaving your teddy bear at home means you have both hands free when you're playing.

Jesus' friends might have been scared at His changes, but they were also proud to be in on the secret that Jesus really was God. After Jesus' "change," His friends felt even closer to Him!

PRAYER FOR THE WEEK: Jesus, help me remember that even scary changes can be good! Amen.

(02-20-97)

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