In the Presence of Greatness
I have always admired Peyton Manning. The former NFL quarterback and newly minted Hall of Famer, was a prolific player, especially when rallying his team in the final minutes. I really enjoyed watching him as he showcased his incredible skills, but even more impressive was the way he handled himself, especially after a tough loss. He responded to tough questions from the media with patience, grace, and dignity, demonstrating a level of humility and perspective not often found in world-class athletes.
In the five years since his retirement, which culminated with a Super Bowl victory, Manning has demonstrated his skill as a relatable communicator with a compelling sense of humor. Whenever I think of Peyton Manning, “greatness,” “respect,” and “admiration” are some of the first words that come to mind.
Reflecting on Manning’s aura makes me wonder how much greater we will be affected when we stand in the presence of the Lord God Almighty. Ironically, the Feast of the Transfiguration came on the same weekend as this year’s Hall of Fame Induction. In
case you need a little refresher, here’s what happened, according to the Gospel of Matthew 17:1-7:
“After six days Jesus took with him Peter, James and John the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. There he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light. Just then there appeared before them Moses and Elijah, talking with Jesus. 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.’ 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!’ When the disciples heard this, they fell facedown to the ground, terrified. But Jesus came and touched them. ‘Get up,’ he said. ‘Don’t be afraid.’ When they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus.”
All of this makes me wonder what it will be like when we see Jesus. It’s almost impossible for us to imagine, but we do get a glimpse from this passage that describes
“His face shone like the sun” and “his clothes as white as the light” Then, we have to
imagine what it will be like when we hear the thunderous voice of God the Father. Like
the disciples, we might just fall facedown on the ground, but we can be assured that
Jesus will comfort us and tell us not to be afraid.
What a wonderful glorious day that will be, but we don’t have to wait until then to be in the presence of His greatness. Through our commitment to His Word, our obedience of His commandments, and our participation in worship of Him, we can, indeed, experience the wonder of His greatness in this life and reflect his light through our words and actions so that others will come to see and believe in His greatness.
Until We Meet Again, Be Blessed! – Pastor John