Mountain top
Image: Amel Uzunovic on Pexels
Last weekend my wife and I, went to our church network’s ‘Summer Camp’. It was held Friday to Monday in the stunning grounds of Ashburnham Place, near Battle in East Sussex.
We have attended lots of these types of events, for over 35 years, many of them under canvas. Fortunately, this venue offered both camping and on-site accommodation – we chose the latter.
I was involved with leading the sung worship, playing drums in the band (not at the same time) and delivering an all age gathering. I can report that all went well!
Despite the weather being wet and windy for some of the weekend, we had a wonderful time. There was a great group from our church, the guest speakers were inspiring and most importantly God met with us!
These kind of events are sometimes referred to as ‘mountain top experiences’. They do happen in the Bible, with a significant one in the New Testament…
“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.”
On the mountain, Peter, James and John encountered God in a very dramatic way. They were very privileged to see Jesus ‘glowing’ and talking with two heroes from the Old Testament, Moses and Elijah!
I suspect they never forgot that experience. Later in that chapter it says that Peter offered to build a shelter for Jesus, Moses and Elijah, implying that he wanted then to stay there.
Fortunately, that never happened, and they came down the mountain with Jesus, and continued life with him.
Mountain top experiences are special, memorable and can be life changing. They are something out of the ordinary that connects us to things above and beyond the everyday.
They are not home, rather a moment of encounter and impact. In my experience, they have been few, but profound and deeply meaningful.
We don’t live by them, but they are a wonderful encouragement when they happen.
God bless you:)
Gary Bastin
Hope Community Church leader