Out of Your Box

I was reading today in Mark and chapter 9: 2-8 says: " ² After six days Jesus took Peter, James and John with him and led them up a high mountain, where they were all alone. There he was transfigured before them. ³ His clothes became dazzling white, whiter than anyone in the world could bleach them. ⁴ And there appeared before them Elijah and Moses, who were talking with Jesus.

⁵ Peter said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good for us to be here. Let us put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.” ⁶ (He did not know what to say, they were so frightened.)

⁷ Then a cloud appeared and covered them, and a voice came from the cloud: “This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him!”

⁸ Suddenly, when they looked around, they no longer saw anyone with them except Jesus."

Now this is a wonderful story of the transfiguration, but today it meant so much more than that to me. So picture this, the guys are just hanging out being guys, talking about fishing, girls, Sports, the weather; you know guys things... when all of the sudden out of no where, BAM! Jesus transfigures right in front of them! And His clothes became dazzling white, whiter than anyone in the world could bleach them *(Rambling Side Note: As a wife and Mom, I would love to know their dazzling white secret for laundry...lol) and the old school prophets show up and it's a righteous party.

So this amazing moment happens, the disciples are both frightened and awestruck, it may be scary but it's such a God moment so Peter, good ol Pete says: "Let's put up tents and just stay here" and then just as fast... BAM! The prophets and the moment are gone.

Wait! What? What happened? This is my theory: God knew in that moment, that Peter was already limiting Him. It was a "this is going to be the best that God can do" moment, so by removing it, Peter didn't have the opportunity to settle into complacency... and look at how far God brought him.

The second thing that stood out to me was this: "when they looked around, they no longer saw anyone with them except Jesus" Because you see, sometimes God has to bring us to moments where it is just us & Jesus, no distractions, nothing but Him. Those are the moments where the real life changes take place.

So how often do we do that in our own lives, something fairly amazing happens and we just want to stay there like this is the best its ever going to be. Or we get so busy "doing" ministry that we forget the "why" we are doing it. We forget that his word says he will take us from glory to glory, (2 Corinthians 3: 16-18) not just a single glory. Can you live your life on a single breath? Then how can you expect to live your life on a single God moment? Is it a lack of faith that keeps us from living life to the fullest or perhaps insecurity that we don't deserve it. Either way, we are the ones limiting God, not vice-versa. So get out of your box and challenge yourself.

I am not telling you its easy, believe me, I just walked though a season of being a whiny brat, feeling sorry for myself, living on past "Glories" and limiting God and what He has for my future. For about half a year (I was on medical bed rest) I wasted time that I can never get back. I could have been writing, editing pictures, reading and making plans for when I was better but no, what did I do? Pulled the covers over my head and said boo hoo... poor me.

So if the only purpose that season of my life has is to be an example of what NOT TO DO, please learn it well, press in and keep reaching for your next God moment.

God Bless you!!

Chi