Encounter: Find a quiet space to read or listen to Matthew 16:24-17:23. Go through 3 times underlining or highlighting any words or phrases that shimmer for you. Meditate for 20 minutes on what you have heard.
When the leaves begin to turn and with a chill in the air, October always signals the retreat season in my rule of life. Jack and I just returned from participating in the Pastor & Spouse Retreat at Covenant Harbor on Lake Geneva. In just a few days, I find myself more centered and rested but more importantly, I have had space to spend with Jesus and although I can’t always describe why, I find my soul is refreshed. A transformation has taken place. We call these times “mountain top experiences,” reminiscent of the encounters we read about in scripture between people and their Creator, and at times we find others present whom God deems necessary in the delivering of a message.
Usually the day before it’s time to go home, I find myself thinking about how I could take another day or two and find myself mentally moving around appointments and responsibilities so I could just stay where the glory of God awakens me to life. Can’t I just build a cabin and stay. This glory of God is exactly what my soul longs for and what I was created to experience every day. It just seems easier to be aware of God’s presence when heaven seems so close, there's a breaking through. Some have called moments like this, "thin places."
I think these retreat experiences have made the transfiguration shared in the gospels come alive for me. I don’t feel so alone when I read about the encounter Peter, James and John had with Jesus on a mountain. They were having the mountain top experience of all eternity and with heaven so close and Moses, Elijah and Jesus discussing the fulfillment of the law and the prophets that was about to happen, I can see why Matthew, Mark & Luke describe their awe, wonder and fear with such intensity.
No wonder Peter wants to build a camp and stay there. He has been waiting for this his whole life. Through the writings of Moses and the words spoken by the prophets throughout history, they knew there was more. And the more was standing right in front of him in order to strengthen his faith and cultivate his resilience to lead His church and all that would entail.
It would become clear as they ministered they would need to remember what they encountered and take that into everything God was calling them to do. Because as Mark records in his gospel, bringing the kingdom to bear can only happen through prayer. And what is prayer? Deep abiding, dependence, and leaning into the one who brings his power through us to “exodus” those who are being held captive by the enemy.
We all need to take time for mountain top experiences through retreat or other means, but we can’t stay there. We were never meant to stay on the mountain and leave people captive in the valley. Jesus has been our greatest example. For even the Son of God did not come to be served but to give His life to free us from captivity.
It’s all so amazing for now we know who our God is, for Jesus is the visible image of the invisible God, and the Father says to us, This is my dearly beloved Son, Listen to him.
LIstening to Jesus with You,
Pastor T
Reflect: Think about how you can fit in a retreat into your busy schedule. Maybe you can only take an afternoon, a day or two. Reach out and get information from the staff about ways and places you can retreat.
Spiritual Practice: Imaginative Prayer: Imagine you too were invited to go up the mountain with Jesus. Try to put yourself in this encounter. What does Jesus look like when you open your eyes after taking a nap. How do you feel as you listen to him talking with Moses and Elijah and how he will be killed and rise from the dead. Do you find yourself confused, fearful, or anxious. Think about what you would ask Jesus for at this moment. Begin to talk with Jesus, ask for what you need or a question you have about life. Hear him say to you, “Don’t be afraid.” Write down in your journal anything you sense the Lord saying to you through this prayer time.
Gather: Share your “camp” or “retreat” experiences with your small group and how it has affected your faith and life with God. Share resources and information with one another, encouraging each other to make space for times of transformation as you draw close to the One who says, “Don’t be afraid.”
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