Come Down and Serve

The next day, when they came down from the mountain, a large crowd met him.    —Luke 9:37

Over thirty-six years ago. I was attending licensing school at Jumonville, one of our Conference’s Camping and Retreat Centers. Jumonville sits on the mountain ridge above Uniontown, PA. Its main attraction is an illuminated 60 foot high white cross. On a clear day, the cross can be seen from three states, three counties, and up to 50 miles away.

Everyone in my licensing class wanted to walk up to the cross during a break before dinner. I planned to catch up to them after I called my wife. Darlene was seven months pregnant with our second child and was very ill with bad case of the flu. My family was still adjusting to my call into the ministry that I sprang upon everyone a few months earlier. It was a very long, tearful, and heartfelt phone call. I never did catch up to the rest of my class.

Mountaintop experiences never last. We receive those blessed times of spiritual revelations and majesty but are soon called back down to the real world and to serve. My weekend on Dunbar’s Knob under the Great Cross at Jumonville lasted a few days. I returned from the mountaintop to care for my ailing wife, provide for my growing family, and eventually be appointed as a part-time pastor to Albion Heights, a small church in the Punxsutawney area.

Moses spent 40 days and nights on the mountain receiving the Law of from God. As he tarried on Mt. Sinai, the Israelites polluted themselves by making an idol in the form of a golden calf. God told Moses to return quickly. The work and service of a shepherd never ends.

As Jesus’ time on earth neared an end, He took Peter, James, and John up to a mountain top where He was transfigured before them. His face and clothing glowed brightly. There on the mountaintop, Jesus conversed with Moses and Elijah. The disciple, so overcome with awe, wanted to build three shelters and remain there. We cannot remain permanently in our mountaintop experiences. They are given to direct and empower us to go back down into the valley and serve.

Jesus very quickly took Peter, James, and John down the mountain where they faced a crowd of people. A father and his demon-possessed son were the center of the crowd’s attention. The disciples had tried unsuccessfully to cast the demon out. The father asked Jesus to help, “But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us” (Mark 9:22b). Jesus rebukes the man, “‘If you can’?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for one who believes” (23).

Jesus and the three disciples came down from possibly their highest mountaintop experience directly into the demon-possessed valley. Many times we often think, if I could only get away from all my troubles, I can make it. If I could only get alone with God or alone on a beach, I’ll be OK. God is in the beach, yes. God is in our quiet time. God is also in our deepest valleys.

Jesus told the demoniac’s father, “Everything is possible for one who believes.” Rest in the power and presence of Jesus. It will be alright. He will never leave nor forsake you. Enjoy your time on the mountaintop with the Spirit, but then allow the Lord to lead you down into the valley to serve.