Recently my church's youth director, Jeremy Moyer, took a well-deserved vacation. He went to California for R&R and to connect with friends. If you know my colleague, you will know that Jeremy doesn't veg out, he uses these times to broaden his experience and to explore new opportunities. This photo was snapped of Jeremy on a mountain top, a summit even above the clouds. I love Jeremy's perspective and his reminder.
Jesus was trying to help his disciples get a glimpse of the Big Picture of his work and to grow in their vision of what could be done. So Matthew (17.1-14) records that he took Peter, James and John up on a mountain and treated them to a totally unexpected vision. Jesus on the mountain, their Master and Teacher, was joined by Elijah and Moses. Moses was the embodiment of God's covenant community. He was the Law Bringer. Elijah was the symbol of God's prophetic power, his supernatural vision shaping history. And now there was Jesus.
Peter, in particular, was overwhelmed and yet blessed by this experience. His immediate desire was to build places of worship and to stay on that summit, savoring the moment. Yet no sooner had he proposed this than Moses and Elijah vanish.
The summit is important because in our daily lives we reduce our faith and ministry to what is possible, achievable by men. Life below the summit is slowly drained of purpose and power. The summit is the place where we are reminded of the grand design of God and His enablment of its accomplishment. But the real ministry is never at the summit - it is far below, in the every day highways and byways - in the valleys of the shadow of death. Once you've been to the summit you are often reconnected with that power and purpose, better equipped to serve God.
If you haven't been to the summit lately, find a way to get away and climb its heights. If you have been to the summit, don't forget what you saw and use it down below. You will be blessed and God will be glorified.
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