Mountains and Valleys

Have you ever had a mountain top experience? Most of us have, in one way or another. Mountain top experiences can be of the spiritual kind...church camp springs to mind... Or, falling in love...getting a fantastic job...winning a sports championship...all would qualify, I think.

Lent began this week. If you are not familiar with Lent, it's a 40-day period of reflection that precedes our celebration of Easter Sunday in the Christian faith. Growing up in the Southern Baptist tradition, I knew virtually nothing about Lent. I remember hearing friends from other churches talk about "giving up chocolate for Lent", or things like that. I thought it was weird. I really didn't get it at all.

In recent years, I've worshipped in churches that practice Lent...if I'm honest, the idea of giving up chocolate...or coffee...or Facebook...doesn't connect with me. Maybe as I mature spiritually, I'll have better muscles for "giving up" something for 40 days. This year, my commitment to Lent is the addition of daily Bible readings, and a commitment to blog regularly on what I'm reading.

The sermon last Sunday was from the story of Jesus' transfiguration. If you're not from the Christian faith, this story might seem really out there to you...but that's okay. I think there is something to be learned, regardless of your perspective.

In the story, Jesus took 3 guys with him up to the top of a mountain (Peter, James and John). These guys were his closest followers...his "inner circle", if you will. While they're standing there together, without any warning, Jesus is transformed before their eyes. He becomes "white as the light" and his face "shone like the sun." At the same time, the story from The Gospel of Matthew tells us that Moses and Elijah appeared, and they were talking with Jesus.

If you put yourself in their situation, you can easily imagine that this kind of thing would totally freak you out, right? Peter, who was known for being really outspoken, says (paraphrased), "Hey Jesus, this is awesome! Why don't we build some shelters for you, so you'll be more comfortable?"

Sounds weird, but what would you say? What is there to say when you have a spiritual experience that is so amazing, so beyond understanding, that you don't know what to do? Peter didn't know what to do, but he knew the moment was special, and by suggesting that they build some shelters for Jesus, Moses and Elijah, you get the impression that Peter wanted them to stay for awhile.

We can relate to that feeling, can't we? When something fantastic happens...spiritually, in romance, or in a victorious moment...we want to hold on to the moment. To savor it...to make it last as long as possible.

The spiritual lesson, I think...is that mountain top moments never last forever. Somehow, we need to learn from the intensity of the mountain top, even if it's just a fleeting experience...and we need to take those lessons with us into the everyday flatlands of life...and we especially need to take those lessons with us into the valleys of life.

After Jesus is transformed, God speaks and tells the 3 disciples to "listen to him". We don't know what Jesus tells them, in specific detail...but here's what we do know for certain...when the 4 of them came down from the mountain, they immediately encountered a really difficult situation. A situation that the 3 disciples didn't know how to handle...something that totally overwhelmed them.

And that's how life is...most of the time. We have high moments...wonderful moments...and then we face everyday stuff that gets boring and discouraging. And we face overwhelming challenges that we feel utterly unprepared to handle.

So, the next time you have a chance to visit the mountain with Jesus...listen to him. Those are the teachable moments when you'll learn the things you need to know, in order to conquer your flatlands and your valleys.