“Then Moses led the people out of the camp to meet with God, and they stood at the foot of the mountain….then Moses spoke and God answered him. The Lord descended to the top of Mount Sinai and called Moses to the top of the mountain. So Moses went up…”– Exodus 19:17, 19b-20
I am tired today. Not the exhaustion from burdens, hurts, or pains. No, my tiredness comes from spending a week in a “mountain-top” experience, and now resuming my normal routine.
I have spent the last week in the presence of God. This happened several ways. Last week I attended a four-day art workshop where I heard incredible faith-building stories and was in fellowship with other Christians, as we sought to grow and challenge ourselves in developing our art. I discovered some new challenges and “breakthroughs” in my artwork and my mind churns with new ideas and directions as I stand at a cross-roads and decide new paths to take as an artist. I have also been enveloped in family matters as my parents came to visit and help prepare for my daughter’s confirmation. Yesterday was a festive time of moving and emotional moments as my daughter professed her faith to her church, unveiled an original piece of music she performed for the congregation, and family time around a meal where we shared, laughed, and grew deeper together.
Today I need time to be still, pray, and reflect on all the blessings and ways I experienced God’s presence the past week.
Moses came down from the mountain top after spending days with God to bring the Israelites the Ten Commandments. I can only imagine the joy and excitement in his heart as he talked to God and spent time with Him, but then it was time to come back to reality and deal with real life. That is where I am now. It’s time to make grocery lists, pay the bills, walk the dog, clean the house, do laundry, and move on with the lessons I learned and the opportunities to apply them.
I am convinced that God meets us in these “mountain top” experiences to strengthen us, renew our spirits, and prepare us for work that needs to be done. We are transformed and changed, and sometimes grudgingly, re-enter life, hoping the mountain top feelings won’t fade. We collect them in our hearts, cherish them, but eventually God says–‘Ok, I filled you up, it’s time to go back to work’. Just like Mondays, we reluctantly climb back down the mountain, back to the grind of life.
There is work to be done. Faith to be lived out. I think it would be impossible to spend our lives always on the mountain top, because God wants us to do ministry on earth. We have heaven to look forward to–and that is our mountain top experience that will last forever. We catch glimpses of it, God reveals snippets of it, and then gives us jobs to do.
I hope you can experience your own mountain top time with God. Get your heart filled up with His love and grace, and be prepared to walk back down the mountain. He’s got work for you to do!
Prayer—“God, thank you for mountain top experiences to remind me of your presence and see your glory. Fill me up and equip me to go back down into real life. I ask for a joyful heart to share all that you have shown me. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.”
Prayer For All Days 