I recently went on a backpacking trip into the Three Sisters Wilderness with two of my boys (Joshua and Nathan) and two grandsons (Jonas and Maysen). We had a great time and really enjoyed being outdoors in the wilderness.On one of the days we spent there in the wilderness we decided to climb the South Sister. It is a very rigorous and strenuous climb, although it is not a technical climb at all. So we thought we could take my grandsons up with us (4yrs old and 6 yrs old). It was difficult and there was a lot of tears shed in the attempt to reach the top. They made it a long ways, much further
than I expected. In fact they made it almost to the very top, but eventually it was too much for the little ones, so their dads turned back with their boys.
than I expected. In fact they made it almost to the very top, but eventually it was too much for the little ones, so their dads turned back with their boys.But for Grandpa, it was too tantalizing for me to turn back, since the top of the mountain was within my reach. We had been climbing for about four hours, and I knew that I was only about a half hour from the peak.
So I determined to reach the top while the others turned back. It is always exhilarating to reach the top, but at the same time, terribly disappointing to do it without the rest of the climbing party. I ended up on top of the mountain all alone, so it was
bitter/sweet, but it was quite a thrill indeed.It always reminds me of Jesus' Transfiguration on the mountaintop in Matthew 17. Jesus takes Peter, James and John up on top of a high mountain. "There he was transfigured before them in all the glory of God himself. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes shone as white as light. Also, the prophets Moses and Elijah showed up and began to talk with Jesus."
What an incredible moment, so incredible that Peter suggests that they build some shelters and just stay there forever. He has seen a glimpse of heaven, and he doesn't want to ever leave. But Jesus shows them that no matter how glorious the top of the mountain may be, we must always return to the normal day to day living where our ministry can really make a difference in the lives of people.
Mountain top experiences are awesome, exciting, exhilarating and
enjoyable (they also take a lot of hard work, sweat and effort), but you can't stay in a mountaintop experience, you have to come down off the mountain and get back to work, doing the will and purpose of God in "the trenches" of life.
enjoyable (they also take a lot of hard work, sweat and effort), but you can't stay in a mountaintop experience, you have to come down off the mountain and get back to work, doing the will and purpose of God in "the trenches" of life.Love you all and God Bless
Roger
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