It may be a local call to God from Texas but I sure feel a lot closer to Him in the mountains of Colorado. This past week I was blessed to go backpacking in the mountains with other fathers and sons – unplugged from technology, no sports or worldly news updates. Distractions were limited to wolves howling in the distance or a mule deer strolling through the campsite. We focused on the Creator in His creation, relationship with the Father and relationships between the fathers and sons.
The summit experience provided an opportunity for fathers and sons to connect at a new level of relationship. Day to day busy-ness can inhibit the maturing of the father-child relationship and the months, even years fly by. But with time committed and the daily noise of life tuned out, the Lord shows up in a powerful way. Relationships mature. Fathers that start the trip relating and communicating man-to-boy across the week begin to connect with their sons more as man-to-man. Sons receive their father’s blessing at the end of the week and all return home. It can be a tough transition back into the real world but the summit experience is not meant to be a new residence. The Father provides a reminder that while we are not to be of this world we are to be His representatives in it. The ultimate expression of manhood is to be a God-glorifier where He has us. Summit experiences equip men for that charge.
Summit Experience: After six days Jesus took with Him Peter, James and John the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. There He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light. Just then there appeared before them Moses and Elijah, talking with Jesus. 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.” – Matthew 1:1-4. Summit experiences can be intoxicating. Peter did what comes natural – he suggested making shelters so all could take up residence in the high place, a place where Heaven touched the earth. But Jesus knew that was not part of the plan. He had work to do and that required descending the mountain and returning to the world that hated Him. This summit experience equipped Him for the charge to glorify His Father.
Prayer guide: Lord, thank You for the spirit of sonship. What a blessing to be an heir of You and a co-heir with Jesus the Christ (Rom. 8:15). My personal, passionate and maturing relationship with You is recharged through summit experiences I enjoy in worship, study and prayer, and on trips to the mountains. These are central to my ability to navigate through noise in this world. Thank You for the opportunity to be Your representative in my family. Grant me strength to accept the charge to be a God-glorifier where You have me, the God-glorifier my family needs to experience. Amen.
A faithful father is charged by summit experiences to be a God-glorifier.
