Why Won't Jesus Let us Stay on the Mountaintop?

Why Doesn’t Jesus Let us Stay on the Mountaintop?

June 9, 2016   NY

            We have all had “mountaintop” experiences. We had one today on a ride we took around Lake George. To get to the northernmost tip of the lake we had to go north about 38 miles through the Adirondack Mountains. All of it was there—the height, the curves, the beautiful trees and houses, and lots of motorcyclists.

            We stopped at a visitor information center to take a short break and take some pictures of the scenery. WOW! The huge lake with the mountains behind it was a sight to see!! The trees seem to be so much darker here than the mountains down our way in South or North Carolina. Some of the roads remind me of the Blue Ridge Parkway in North Carolina—with their windy, twisty curves. But, that lake was unbelievable. Every town along the way had its cute shops and small cafes and restaurants.

            I love stopping and looking out over the area below these beautiful mountaintops! It makes you want to move there and be a part. Then I wonder, where do these people work? How long does it take them to get there? We went about 80 miles and it took three hours. I would not want that commute every day.

           

            The ride reminded me of a time when I went to a Camp meeting at Table Rock Wesleyan Camp. It was always a grand time of worship, preaching and fellowship as we discussed the seminars and preaching we had heard each day. We loved it there. Every year I went I wanted to move up there. I loved the area with all the green trees and mountains. Not to mention the great fellowship of the fellow believers there for the week long camp meeting.

            One year a sweet old missionary lady came up to me and my friend and said to us. Now ladies, I know you love it up here on the mountain. But I want you to remember that it’s when you go back to the valley to use and share what you have learned while here on the mountaintop. Your work will be down there! She looked at us and smiled her sweet smile and went on her way.  I have some great memories of those camp meeting times and how God worked in my life.

            In Matthew 17, Jesus took three of the disciples ,to a high mountain.  Jesus is transfigured, and the three disciples are privileged to see Jesus in all his glory. There is no way I can begin to understand what the three men went through while on that mountain.  But I can find common ground in Peter’s response to experiencing Jesus on the mountaintop; “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 Eliajah” vs. 4

            Peter is saying, “This is amazing! I don’t want it end! Let’s build some homes up here and stay on this mountaintop forever.” That is how I felt every year I went to Table Rock. Why did Peter want to stay? It was mind blowing. It was incredible. But, Jesus doesn’t let them stay. He leads them down the mountain into the valley? Where does he lead them? Into a situation that can only described as hell on earth. In vs 14ff Jesus confronts a boy who’s been possessed by a demon… Why wouldn’t Jesus let them stay on the mountaintop? For the same reason he won’t let us stay there: he needs us to be his hands and feet in the valleys, in the streets, and in the spaces that aren’t awe-inspiring and wonderful.  He needs us to be living the normal, day-to-day life. He uses those mountaintop experiences to shape our hands, minds, and hearts so we will be prepared to be his hands and feet to the suffering, hurting, abandoned, and forsaken.

            Oddly enough, it’s probably in the valleys of everyday life that the greatest glimpses of God are revealed, if we are looking for them.

            G. K. Chesterton said it well, “One sees great things from the valley, only small things from the peak.”

            Think about your last mountaintop experience. How has God used it in the valley?

            Who have you been able to be the Feet and Hands of Jesus for because of that mountaintop experience?