Mindful Of The Mountain But Serving In The Valley

My Utmost For His Highest

 

‘It is a wonderful thing to be on the mountain with God, but a person only gets there so that he may later go down and lift up the demon-possessed people in the valley (see Mark 9:14-18). We are not made for the mountains, for sunrises, or for the other beautiful attractions in life— those are simply intended to be moments of inspiration. We are made for the valley and the ordinary things of life, and that is where we have to prove our stamina and strength. Yet our spiritual selfishness always wants repeated moments on the mountain. We feel that we could talk and live like perfect angels, if we could only stay on the mountaintop. Those times of exaltation are exceptional and they have their meaning in our life with God, but we must beware to prevent our spiritual selfishness from wanting to make them the only time. CHAMBERS

 

Mark 9:2-5,7 “After six days Jesus took Peter, James and John with him and led them up a high mountain, where they were all alone. There he was transfigured before them. His clothes became dazzling white, whiter than anyone in the world could bleach them.  And there appeared before them Elijah and Moses, who were talking with Jesus. Peter said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good for us to be here. Let us put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah….. Then a cloud appeared and covered them, and a voice came from the cloud: “This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him!”"

 

We live in a small house in Jacmel, Haiti.  It is situated right next to the ocean.  The sound of the waves crashing on the shore is constant .. never ceases .. sometimes so loud it is hard to hear. There are two floors in this house.  To go downstairs you must go outside. I normally make the journey early in the morning to make coffee as I prepare mentally and spiritually for the day ahead. The door I exit faces East.  So, I get to see magnificent sunrises every morning.  But each morning, I am reminded that we were not called to live here .. although we probably could stay if we chose to … we were called to bring the Gospel to the people of Haiti.  We cannot do that from our “little mountain”, we must leave the mountain (the beach in this case) and go to the people.

 

Peter was so impressed with the transformation experience, he wanted to stay .. why leave? But Jesus was sent to lay His life down .. His purpose was not yet fulfilled … some Christians prefer to not come off of the mountain … they don’t want to walk among those who are “possessed” and minister to them .. but just to hang out with the Saints .. to bask in the warmth of the fellowship .. and isolation from a sinful world.  God has called all of us to minister to the sinners .. the lost …  to those who don’t know Jesus.  He has called us to “listen to His Son” and go … I tell people that when I face the ocean to enjoy it’s beauty, I have turned my back on the people I was sent to serve. It can happen so easily and it can feel so right … but it is not God’s will.  Something to think about and pray about. ELGIN

 

Bondye Beni Ou (God Bless You)