So here's the thing: I had three thoughts today after reading Matthew 17 this morning.

First: Jesus takes only 3 guys with Him. They go by themselves (vs 1). I wonder if the other disciples or followers of Jesus noticed. I wonder if they wanted to go too or asked to come along or maybe were envious that Peter, James and John got to go. Maybe they grumbled to each other about all the extra time Jesus spends with these 3 guys. What makes them so special? I love that Jesus offers no apologies for selecting a few to spend more time with than others. We, too, need to make no apologies for having more personal relationships with certain people than others. We simply connect with some more than others or they connect with us. It's not wrong. We're not ignoring anyone or trying to hurt someone's feelings. No one is complaining to Jesus (at least it's not recorded) that He is not spending enough time with them or with their child or their parent or whatever. His sovereignty is simply accepted as Truth. I love that Jesus never feels the need to justify His actions. He does what the Father does. Why do most of us feel the need to justify our actions? Even when we're certain that we are doing as the Spirit directs?

Second: Once Jesus and the 3 disciples get there, Jesus is completely transfigured before them. What that must have been like to witness! Then Jesus meets with Moses and Elijah. Not only is that completely cool, but Peter, James and John recognize who these guys are, too (how did they know?). Peter says "Man, this is so great! I've got a great idea. I'll put up a shelter here for You if you want and one for Moses and one for Elijah, too. This is awesome! (paraphrase mine)" Immediately a bright cloud envelopes them and God says, "This is my Son, whom I love; with Him I am well pleased. Listen to Him! (vs. 5)"

You know - I am so like Peter sometimes.. maybe most of the time. Can you imagine? These guys are with Jesus. They are seeing some amazing things - an illuminated Christ... prophets long buried right before them. They are WITH Jesus. And Peter wants to put up a shelter. I do that. I want to put up the shelter. I'm out here with Jesus. I think it is great. I am amazed and awed and overwhelmed and can hardly believe what I'm seeing, and so naturally - I want to put up a shelter. I want to put something a little more permanent here. I don't want it to end. I want everyone to sit a spell and stay a while. I want to put down roots and somehow hold on to this thing, this experience, this Jesus Who has just revealed more of Himself to me. I want to stay here for a while and plug in and plant deep. I want to get busy building the shelter. Now that Jesus has revealed more of Himself, I want to put my shelter in that spot and build something there. I want to act when it is a time for worship.

Now Jesus doesn't rebuke Peter here, but God basically interrupts (vs. 5) Peter's plans and says "This is my Son!...Listen to Him!" I am hearing Him say to me - 'Girl - you do not need to get busy making a shelter here. Just listen to me. You are WITH Me. Let that be enough. You don't need to hurry up and get plugged in and planted deep. You just need to BE with Me. Not do or act or join or plan or prepare right now... just be with Me. Listen to me. If it's just you and Me - without all the external stuff - there is nothing wrong with that. I'm the best friend, the best support, the best church you'll ever have. Everything you need is in Me.'

Hmmm... No need to hurry. No need to get busy building something or other. This is not the time to act. Just be with this Jesus who loves me enough to reveal more and more of Himself to me.

Lastly, I noticed one more thing. I read how the disciples, upon hearing God speak, hit the dust (vs. 6). They were scared to death - I would have been, too. Jesus tells them to 'get up' and 'Don't be afraid'(vs. 7). At this point in reading my Bible I was distracted by a child somewhere. And when I focused again on the Scripture, I read this simple verse: "When they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus." No one except Jesus... oh, Lord, no one but YOU! Lord, find me looking up! May I see no one else - nothing else - except You.