Moving Beyond Kodak Moments

In 1993 Judy and I moved from Molino to Northport. We loved the people of this church and this community. The human side of us wanted to stay still. We wanted to freeze the moment. God had something different in mind.

In 2005 Judy and I waved good-bye to our son and daughter in law as they boarded a plane to spend their lives in Southeast Asia serving as IMB missionaries. That was the hardest thing I have done in my life. Judy and I both cried uncontrollably. The human side of us wanted to keep David and Erica close to us. However, God had something better.

Last December our youngest son moved to Chicago. He is working to start a church up there. The human side of us wanted to keep John close to us. However, God had something better. We could not and would not freeze time. God’s plan is bigger and better than a Kodak moment.

In the past two years I have lost my father and my only brother to death. My father died in June 2007 and my brother died last November. The human side of me wanted to hang on. I did not want to let go. However, God had something better. Both of them are in Heaven. Both of them are out of their suffering.

In our text Peter wanted to capture the moment. That was not God’s will. God’s plan is bigger and better than a Kodak moment. Two things needed to happen after this mountain top experience.

1. Jesus must go to the cross. That could not be avoided. We would not want Him to avoid the cross. That was God’s plan before the beginning of time.

2. God wanted His disciples to leave the mountain and go down into the valley. God never intended for His children to live in some spiritual vacuum isolated from the world. He never intended for us to be isolated from change. He intended for us to serve. He intended for us to share. He intended for us to represent Him.

Illustration: A few weeks ago Judy and I made our first visit to the Cove. The Cove is a training center, owned by the Billy Graham evangelistic association. It is located a few miles east of Asheville, NC. We experienced a wonderful week at the Cove. There were no phones. It is a beautiful pristine environment located in a valley in the mountains. The buildings and grounds are immaculate. The staff is courteous. The food was wonderful. The conferences are attended by some of the most awesome believers you will ever meet. We wanted to stay there. We did not want to come home. However, our ministry is not at the Cove. Our ministry is in Fairhope.

“I sought to hear the voice of God,

I climbed the topmost steeple,

he said go down again,

I dwell among the people.”

3. Jesus is life’s ultimate Kodak moment. Peter wanted to give Moses and Elijah equal standing with Jesus. This idea provoked God to speak firmly to Peter. Notice verse 33-35. “Then it happened, as they were parting from Him, that Peter said to Jesus, “Master, it is good for us to be here; and let us make three tabernacles: one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah”—not knowing what he said. While he was saying this, a cloud came and overshadowed them; and they were fearful as they entered the cloud. And a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is My beloved Son. Hear Him!” Sometimes God has to get our attention. Do you remember the old after shave commercial? A man gets a splash of after shave and a slap on the face. He comments by saying, “thanks I needed that.”