© Sergiomonti

Last Sunday after the Epiphany
Sunday, March 3, 2019
Lectionary C

Luke 9:28-36

Mountains and Valleys

Do you remember the first time that you saw mountains?

When we were young, we camped during the summer as a family.  Our favorite destination was Deep Creek in Bryson City, North Carolina. Every summer, we would find our favorite camping site and enjoy the cool air of the Smoky Mountains. As someone who was raised on the beaches of Florida, the Smokies seemed huge … until we visited the Rockies! Nothing against the Smokies, but when you see the Rocky Mountain range, it has a way of putting things into perspective.

Wow, were they huge. And once you’ve climbed to the top of one of these, you really don’t want to come down. The view, the air, the sight of God’s creation is almost overwhelming!

I imagine that’s how Peter, James, and John felt. Imagine it, you’ve been asked to join your rabbi in some intimate private time. Just you and Jesus. That alone is a blessing!  Then, on top of that, He begins to shine in a way that invokes both fear and reverence and if that were not enough, Moses and Elijah show up for the party! What would you do? How would you respond? My thoughts would be, “Let’s never go back. Let’s leave all the worries and concerns of the world behind us! Can we please just stay right here??” And then the voice of the Father re-directs our attention and focus on His son and His purpose.

So often, when we find our comfort zone, we stay there. We don’t move. We enjoy our safety, we enjoy “that which we know” over the unknown. The problem is, not a lot grows on those mountain tops. It’s real pretty and the air is clean and pure … but the real growth happens in the valleys, where the mud is, the water is, the challenge is. We don’t appreciate the interruption when we’re comfortable; in fact, we often loath it, resent it. But God’s Word is all about interrupting our lives and the way we behave.

So, ask yourself this, “What do you need God to interrupt in your life so that you’re living more fully in His will?” And then, be willing, be brave, be courageous enough to follow where He leads. He’s the master, we’re the disciples. Let’s follow Him and see what the Spirit can do!

– The Rev. Dr. James A. Sorvillo is rector of Church of the Ascension in Orlando.