It has been said that it is a local call to God from Texas. But it sure feels like you are a lot closer to Him in the mountains. It is surreal to be on a mountain summit looking across to other peaks and down on the rest of creation. What a wonderful mountain-top experience we had on High Country 2026!
During the Promise Keepers movement of the 1990’s, men experienced mountain-top moments at stadium-filled events. Men were on spiritual ‘highs’ that encouraged them to step up as spiritual leaders in family. Upon returning home, a lot of guys did not get an equally encouraging reception. Many had dropped the reigns as the leader in family years before and wives were reluctant to trust them with the reigns again. It is not easy to return from the mountain.
As He was praying, the appearance of His face changed, and His clothes became as bright as a flash of lightning. Two men, Moses and Elijah, appeared in glorious splendor, talking with Jesus. They spoke about His departure, which He was about to bring to fulfillment at Jerusalem. … A voice came from the cloud, saying, “This is My Son, whom I love; listen to Him.” – Luke 9:29-31, 35. Moses and Elijah both had their mountain-top moments with God. Moses returned from the mountain to a rebellious people. He pronounced judgment on those that had turned to idols (Exodus 25-31). Elijah returned from the mountain humbled with marching orders to anoint his successor (1Kings 19). And now Jesus was to return from the mountain to face hatred, persecution and judgment from the religious leaders of the day. Jesus knew He could not stay on the mountain. As with Moses and Elijah, there would be yet another dimension of His walk on this earth. He returned to the valley accepting responsibility to continue investing well in His disciples and endure the final throes of His ministry that would include being arrested, mocked, beaten and crucified. Mountain-top experiences come with responsibility. It is not easy to return from the mountain. Jesus is the Standard but Paul provides instructions for doing so: Therefore, put on the full armor of God, … Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. … take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. – Ephesians 6:13-17.
Prayer guide: Thank You Lord for Your Standard. I confess that I embrace mountain-top experiences in the moment and too often return from the mountain to the old status quo. Forgive me. I accept responsibility to suit up in Your armor every morning – putting on the belt of truth, reading Scripture and living under the authority of Your word; to put the breastplate on and do what is right in Your eyes; to have my feet fitted with the readiness that is the gospel of peace, conformance to You better today than yesterday; to put the helmet of salvation on with a repentant heart embracing Your saving grace to the full; to have the shield positioned well, prayer lifted up to extinguish the fiery darts, flaming arrows coming in; and the sword drawn, Your word wielded wisely to rebuke and cut through the devil’s schemes. That is the dad You call me to be and that is the dad my kids need to see. Amen.
A faithful father returns from the mountain with the armor of God on.
