on the mountain top

Today in sunday school, we talked about Passion 2010, which was a conference in Atlanta that some of the college kids went to weekend before last. They were all so excited to share their experiences, what God showed them, and how amazing the entire weekend was! It was great just being able to listen to each persons perspective, and even though each was different, they all tied together as well.

After everyone shared their experience, Jeff talked about "Mountain Top experiences." I've never really thought about it the way he said it, but here is the verses he used :

Matthew 17:1-9

After six days Jesus took with him Peter, James and John the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. 2)There he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light. 3)Just then there appeared before them Moses and Elijah, talking with Jesus.

4)Peter said to Jesus, "Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you wish, I will put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah."

5)While he was still speaking, a bright cloud enveloped them, and a voice from the cloud said, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!"

6)When the disciples heard this, they fell facedown to the ground, terrified. 7)But Jesus came and touched them. "Get up," he said. "Don't be afraid." 8)When they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus.

9)As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus instructed them, "Don't tell anyone what you have seen, until the Son of Man has been raised from the dead."

He talked about having that mountain top experience, after an event such as Passion 2010, or a summer camp, or revival, and he asked the question: "Why don't we stay on that mountain top?" Once you're back from these conferences, you're back in life, around the same people, worrying over the same problems, and doing the same daily routine. Most of the time, for a short while, you continue to read your Bible everyday, praying often, having Jesus time, and worshiping freely, but after a while, all these wonderful things seem to fade into reading your Bible maybe weekly, praying over your meals, and worrying about what's going on around you, instead of concentrating on just God. However, that doesn't always happen, and I pray that people can get past the fading away of the changed from these types of events.

But Jeff answered this question in a unique way, i've never though about: What if Jesus brings us off the mountain top?! I sat there thinking, WOW!

In the verses from Matthew 17, Jesus took Peter, James, and John up on a mountain, alone. Then Moses, and Elijah, appeared with Jesus, and Peter wanted to set up shelters and stay on the mountain for a long time. However, Jesus and Peter, James, and John walked off the mountain together, and Jesus gave them instructions to not tell anyone else about what they saw!

When we come back to "reality" we face people that bring out the worst in us, but we can't find the best in us, until we face those people again. If God left us on the mountain, we would always be the best we can be, but if we come down from that mountain, God can use us, and make us into what he wants us to be, which is better than what we were before! Even though we come off the mountain, doesn't mean that we aren't praying and reading God's word daily, or even worshiping him freely, it means that God is trying to prepare us for something He has in store for us, that is even better than the last mountain top! When He "moves" us from mountain top to mountain top, each time He has something bigger and better waiting at the next peak. We just have to trust Him fully,because He knows what's best for us!