Who do you say I am?

Matthew 16 : 13 - 23

"But what about you?" he asked. "Who do you say I am?"

Yesterday, when I was at a fast food restaurant, I saw someone I could have helped but I didn't. I was standing a few feet from the counter, having ordered and paid, waiting for my order to be prepared. I was even sipping a drink given courtesy of the restaurant because I had to wait. A lady, looking dishevelled and probably from a background very unlike my own went up to the counter, and handed what looked like two or three RM 1 notes to the service staff. She was told that it was not enough for what she wanted to buy. She walked off slowly, looking a little lost and confused. Standing there, I had the urge to go up and offer her something.....but I didn't. All kinds of thoughts passed through my mind in the ten seconds or so it took her to walk first towards one door and then turning back, towards the opposite entrance. As I reviewed that incident in my prayer today, I was convicted of my omission. I hesitated, with all sorts of silly excuses going through my mind, rather than just do what the Spirit prompted. Actually, after I collected my food, I did go out the same door she did to look for her, but she was nowhere in sight. Today, the Lord gently reminded me, "When I was hungry, did you give me something to eat?" (Matthew 25). I have been praying for greater awareness of God's promptings through the day and I believe he is answering. The review of my day helps me notice where I have responded and where I have not. I was hesitant yesterday, slow to answer the call.

Everyone who has been attending church for several years would be able to answer the question: who is Jesus? But what if it becomes more personal: what if Jesus asks us himself? What would we answer as we look into his eyes? When it becomes personal, it can no longer be what people say or what we have heard in church.....we hope to be able to respond like Peter - because the Father himself has revealed it to us.

I know what I will answer if Jesus were to ask me. But my 'spiritual' declarations will be of no value unless they lead me to an awareness and response to Christ in my daily life. I am deeply grateful to the Lord for answering my prayer for greater awareness. It may not be comfortable at times, but if I call him Lord, I must be prepared to align myself to his values.