It was quite the view. One could look to the east and see a beautiful valley, and to the south to see other peaks they had summited. They were literally on top of the world, at least this part of the world at 14,265 feet. What a perspective! All else is small stuff from this elevation.
Of course, one always has to come down from a mountain-top experience. The hope is to hold onto the experience in a way that helps navigate the valleys of life. In his book, Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff … and It’s All Small Stuff, Richard Carlson provides insight on keeping day-to-day busyness in perspective. Mole hills become mountains if one fails to maintain a proper perspective.
… Jesus took Peter and James, and his brother John, and led them up on a high mountain by themselves. And He was transfigured before them; … And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with Him. … a bright cloud overshadowed them, and behold, a voice from the cloud said, “This is My beloved son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to Him.” When the disciples heard this, they fell face down to the ground and were terrified. And Jesus came to them and touched them and said, “Get up, and do not be afraid.” And raising their eyes, they saw no one except Jesus Himself alone. - Matthew 17:1-8. A mountain-top experience indeed! It was revealed to the three that Jesus was who He said He was. They witnessed Him communing with Moses and Elijah, and heard the voice of the Father blessing His Son. This encounter empowered Jesus for the last leg of His ministry on earth. It also provided the disciples with a new perspective from which to view Jesus, His miracles and His teaching. It was a divine perspective they would not begin to understand until they walked through the valley of Jesus’ death and His burial, and witnessed His resurrection that first Easter. But the time with Jesus up on a high mountain provided a marker in their relationship with the Lord and for their future ministry as well.
Getaways are empowering experiences. Whether on a mountain-top, a retreat or on a family vacation, time invested in relationships can open minds and hearts to a new perspective. It is dad’s job to provide an Easter perspective grounded in Jesus the Christ. Prayerfully consider Faithful Fathering’s summer trips to help do that:
Prayer guide: Father, thank You for Your word and Your journey on this earth. I confess that I have let a lot of small stuff distract me from the right stuff – investment in the father-child relationship as the kids mature. Forgive me. I commit to live into a new perspective grounded in the resurrected You. I will navigate through the small stuff and focus on the right stuff, to invest well in the relationships nearest to me. That is the dad You call me to be and that’s the dad my kids need to see. Amen.
A faithful father lives into a new perspective grounded in the resurrected Christ.
It was quite the view. One could look to the east and see a beautiful valley, and to the south to see other peaks they had summited. They were literally on top of the world, at least this part of the world at 14,265 feet. What a perspective! All else is small stuff from this elevation.
