COMING OFF THE MOUNTAIN

Mark 9:2 KJV

[2] And after six days Jesus taketh with him Peter, and James, and John, and leadeth them up into an high mountain apart by themselves: and he was transfigured before them.

 

       Well it is just different up there.  The stars are closer.  The air seems cleaner.  One can see so much more from the mountain top.  Sometimes it seems you are closer to God.  

       When I go to the mountains, it usually is to have some vacation time.  My troubles are not gone but they seem to be more distant than when I am at home.  I can focus more on the Lord than on my troubles.  It is a time when I can get some things sorted out.  What is important and what is less important?  One does seem to see more from the mountain but it is not always more of what is below us.  If our heart is right it can be more of what is above us. I can see more of my Lord.  Peter, James and John saw much more of Jesus.  They had walked daily with him; thought they knew him but God glorified him before their eyes.  They found this mountain to be a holy place.  I believe they wanted to stay there.  When I have had time with God on the mountain, I too, want to stay.

       Things are clearer from up there.  Time with God helps me better define his role for me in his great work.  Moses spent time on the mountain.  It was there that he received his call; he first heard the voice of God and received instructions that would alter the rest of his life.  From the mountain he was given divine commands to deliver, develop and direct his people.

       The mountain top experience is different from the experience we receive in the valley.  In the valley, I am dealing head on, with my difficulties.  My heart is hurting.  I am calling out to God from the very depths of the process.  On the mountain, God is preparing me for times in the valley.  I am being equipped for things or events I cannot fathom right now.  There is always a time to descend from the mountain.  The disciples had to come down and I will too.  They immediately had to deal with a young man possessed by a demon.  Who knows what I must face as I descend but I trust God has used this time to prepare me.

       Thank you, Lord, for my time on the mountain.  I know my time on the mountain has been special. I have new energy.  My spirit has been renewed.  I know new strength will be needed.  The valley will come but I will not tread it alone.

 

 

Yours in Christ,

 

Brother Randy Burtram