Bradford Baptist Church

  As I sit here watching yet another snow storm settle across the region knowing that the lovely white stuff will all need to be shovelled I cannot help but think of warmer places.  And as powerful as the imagination is, it is no substitute for the real thing. I recall nine years ago taking my first trip to Florida with my family.  It was -10C when we left and by the time we stopped for the night it was +10C.  What a wonderful change, then reaching our final destination at +28C.  Okay, how soon can we pack our bags!!

I remember one particular night there, it was a clear night, we were walking along the beach playing games, chasing one another, collecting shells, it was just such a wonderful moment I simply thanked the Lord for the experience and I can remember thinking “I just want to stay right here.”  Have you ever had one of those moments where you just want time to stand still? 

Three of Jesus’ disciples had just such an experience, but a million times more intense. 

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. Matthew 17:1-3 (NIV)

On top of all of this we are told that they heard the voice of God speaking directly to them.  Yes, this was one of those moments – to the extreme.  What was the disciples’ response? 

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.” Matthew 17:4 (NIV)

I know how you feel Peter.  An experience like that would have me wanting to construct something permanent and just stay where I am.  This is wonderful; I do not need anything more than this in my life.  Even sitting here looking at this snowstorm, their experience definitely beats Florida. 

What was Jesus’ response – it was time to move on, down the mountain and right into the battle.  One of the dangers of wonderful experiences, and especially wonderful spiritual experiences is that they can become points of getting us stuck, of not moving on.  I want to sit and soak in this experience but if we do, we can get left behind because Jesus has already headed off into the next battle. 

If I had stayed on that beach in Florida with my family what kind of life would we be living now?  Images of Tom Hanks in Castaway come to mind.  We might all be sitting around talking to a volleyball.  Those ‘mountain top’ experiences are wonderful refreshing moments, moments of great insight and revelation but there is a hurting needy world just at the bottom of that mountain who desperately need the Lord.  And since today Christ is ‘in us’, they desperately us. 

Have you constructed any shelters in your life that have actually led to you being stuck?  Maybe it is time to do a little demolition work and head out to where you are needed.