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 During this second week of Lent, our gazes turn upward to the mountains, punctuating scripture and those silent witnesses of God’s unfolding story. We’ll explore how these elevated spaces reveal God’s majesty and presence and foreshadow the ultimate mountain: the hill of Calvary. We will trace how these mountain encounters, filled with revelation and transformation, ultimately point us to the highest peak of hope – the resurrection. For in the rising of Jesus, the ultimate mountain of death is conquered, and the landscape of our lives is forever changed. As we reflect on these sacred heights, let us discover how the mountains of Lent prepare us to receive the glorious, life-giving gift of Easter’s dawn. A collective reflection on God’s grace and our chances for renewal Sunday, March 16, 2025 |
Mountaintop moments Matthew 17:1-9 I’ve had the rare opportunity to ascend one of the seven summits. Kilimanjaro is one of the easiest, but the climb and the view are spectacular. The final ascent to Uhuru Peak begins after midnight, so the loose, gravelly rock will be frozen and not slide out under your steps. Adding tiredness to being cold and physically drained becomes a small price to pay for what awaits at the summit. The top of Kilimanjaro is one of the few places with enough altitude and surrounding flat land to see the curve of the earth. For me, this happened at sunrise on a clear day. From the point where the sun peeked over the horizon, I could see the light racing left and right to fill the edge of the sky. I’ve observed God’s power in nature before, but nothing like this. It inspired awe and fear and, at the same time, peace and hope. In Matthew 17:1-9 we see Jesus taking his inner circle up for a mountaintop experience. God came near, Jesus’ glory was revealed, and Peter thought they should all stay. I’ve been on some retreats, heard some messages, and been a part of conversations where it felt like God had come near. Like the moment had shifted somehow, something profound and holy had been revealed. Like Peter, I didn’t want it to end. The famous naturalist and mountaineer John Muir wrote, “The mountains are calling, and I must go.” Whether it’s the joy journey along the trail, the thrill of making it to the summit, or the escape from our regular lives, we all crave mountaintop experiences. We can have these with God and others and should even look for them. But we can’t stay. I think God drawing especially near to us is intended to give us strength, courage, and a story to share with others. It is an experience that sheds light on what we are called to do and be next. Who has been a part of your journey of faith? Did they share something about their journey that made them feel like they were going to the mountaintop? Have you had a mountaintop experience that grew or inspired your faith? By Ryan Heckman |
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