Time To Get Out Of The Box
Greetings,
“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 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 enveloped them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is My Son, whom I love; with Him I am well pleased. Listen to Him !” Matthew 17: 1-5
Poor Peter, he is just so human. He finds himself in God’s glorious presence and all he wants to do is build tabernacles or monuments to preserve the moment. I find that so much like the traditional/institutional “church”. Whenever there is a move of the Spirit they want to capture it so that they will be able to recreate it. Instead all we should do is accept the moment for what it is and totally take it in and enjoy it. Just because The Lord moved in a certain way for us in one moment does not mean we should try to make that moment last beyond its given time.
Sadly however, this is the way most “churches” operate these days. Something Spiritual worked for them at one time so they try to repeat what they did over and over and over again. They all seem to have their own time tested order of worship or liturgy that they repeat Sunday after Sunday with very little Spiritual progress or reward. Instead of allowing the Wind of the Spirit to “blow wherever it wants to” on any given day they stay stuck in the same rut never realizing that their current “worship” style has become just another dead tradition. Their musical styles may vary, but very seldom does their rut ever allow for anything much different than a prayer, three songs, an offering and a sermon. And normally it is pretty much the same people, week after week, that supply the prayers, songs, offerings and sermons. Dead rituals such as this produce very little life and being so set in their ways…when the Holy Spirit does want to move in a new and different manner they most always deny Him because His freedom does not fit into their pre-fabricated schedules.
Folks, we should not put God or His children in a box like that. When the church gathers for fellowship the Spirit should be allowed to flow freely and equip every member with something to share that day. Everyone should have the opportunity to share a song or a word from the Lord. Instead of being stuck in structure or a certain order the Holy Spirit and God’s children should be totally free to share exactly when and how the Lord desires them to. Totally free and open, Spirit led fellowship is what the Body of Christ should be all about. Being constricted and confined to any certain pattern of “worship” is not what Jesus desires of His Church.
Also, I find it very interesting that when Jesus, Moses and Elijah were all there; God The Father spoke and said very clearly that we should follow and listen to Jesus. It is no longer all about The Law or The Prophets. Sure they have their place, but we should always be listening to Jesus first and foremost.
Love and……
Kirk Out !
Hey man, that’s exactly the problem right now, everywhere feels like a box. Its hard being in a dry land, the only church we’ve been to that doesn’t feel like a box is an hour away. I pray we’re released from this dry land soon; can’t take not having any fellowship, home church, box church or otherwise. Sucks.
Why do folks try to put God in a box? He doesn’t fit, not matter how big or what shape your box is.Let go and let God…isn’t that some old Jesus Freak saying?
Love you brother, thanks for your thoughtful presentations each day.
Ma Z, I am praying that you find the fellowship you need as soon as possible. I have also visited the dry land during different parts of my life. Pretty much sucked at the time until Jesus showed me the reason and the way out.