Many of us have had mountaintop moments where we felt like life couldn’t get any better! These times could be about faith, family, sports, vacations, or really anything. The problem with these moments is they don’t last.
Peter understands this fully. When he encounters the living God on the Mount of Transfiguration, he excitedly bursts out, “It is wonderful for us to be here!” (Mark 9:5). He is in the presence of God, and he never wants to leave. Right before his eyes, he sees Jesus standing with Moses and Elijah, showing how Jesus is the fulfillment of the law and the prophets. But alas, this portion of the story concludes with them going down the mountain (Mark 9:9). Jesus and his disciples go back down to the valley to live, minister, and serve.
Have you ever gone on vacation and been even more tired and burnt out after you returned to work? I promise it is not you! It is psychology. The vacation acts as a reprieve from daily life, but when it ends, we realize life (with all its joy and stress) is still there. We long to be on the mountaintop but find ourselves stuck in the valley.
Faith can be the same way. We have these close, intimate encounters with God—like Peter on the mountain—but then the rest of our lives feel the same. We get caught in our day-to-day lives, and the pattern continues.
But there is good news: The God of the mountaintop goes with us into the valley. We are transformed on the mountain and sent back down with a renewed power and mission—to love and share the good news! Life happens in the valley, so God is there too.
Reflection:
- What has been a mountaintop moment in your faith? How has that transformed your walk with God?
- What are some ways you can see that the God of the mountaintop goes with you into the valley?