Sifted Like Wheat

“Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat, but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.”  Luke 22: 31, 32

There are so many things I don’t understand about what goes on behind the curtain.  Just as there is a very small bandwidth of electromagnetic spectrum that produces light or infrared or NPR radio, there are parallel universes of what is seen and unseen.  Perhaps time itself is a similar bandwidth.  

The disciples must have been overwhelmed with the sense of this when they asked Jesus, “Lord, teach us to pray.”  Here was the Source of Understanding in their presence.  And what did He say?  A pretty straightforward reminder that God is God and we are not, that He is at work.  And the requests, enough sustenance for just right now, forgiveness just as we forgive others, and protection from the Evil One.  Pretty limited stuff.  

And here He did not protect Peter from the sifting.  Somehow He understood that in the long scheme of things, as the rock which the Church would be built, that Peter’s sifting was a good thing.  But He prayed that his faith may not fail.  

And years and stories and perspectives later, the older and wiser Peter is able to strengthen his brothers: Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when His glory is revealed.

His sifting was part of the big picture.  The headstrong frailties of Peter have been an encouragement to generations, because we too are frail in our strength.  And the sufferings of Job, because we too suffer.  And the passionate inconsistencies of David because we too are inconsistent.  And the patience of Joseph because we too do not see the light at the end of the dark cell.  

Therefore, as I lean into prayer today, may I be aware of the great cloud of witnesses who are the physical manifestation of the reality that lies outside of my spectrum of visible light.  The manifest glory of the Holy One.  And let me not be entangled with my narrow understanding and inclinations to the softer path. Rather, let me fix my eyes on the Author and Perfecter of my faith.  And the faith of those for whom I pray.  That it will not fail.  And that His glory will be revealed.