David Yarbrough
Matthew 17:1 (CSB)
After six days Jesus took Peter, James, and his brother John and led them up on a high mountain by themselves.
Life is filled with ups and downs, mountains, and valleys. The same can be said for the disciples who were following Jesus; they experienced ups and downs, zigs and zags, mountains, and valleys. In this text, we see the inner circle that is comprised of Peter, James, and his brother John going up a high mountain by themselves with Jesus. They are going to be in for quite a worship service.
Mountain tops and the Bible depict a place where people can get close to God, but also a place of solitude to be alone with the Lord. We see many times where Jesus went up on a mountain by Himself to pray. You need times when you are alone with the Lord for your overall spiritual well-being. Times when you can pull away from the distractions, worries, and stresses of life to where you can focus solely on Jesus and His glory.
Incorporating moments of solitude into your busy life can sometimes be daunting, particularly for those of you who have young children, but with a little creativity and intentionality, it is attainable.
First and foremost, you must set aside a specific time each day, even if it's just a few minutes. The prime time is early in the morning, while the kids are all still asleep and the house is quiet.
Also, it's important to establish a designated space. It can be something like a "sacred corner", if you will, a place where you can focus, be still, be quiet, and pray. This might be a small nook in your bedroom, an outdoor spot, or even a quiet space in your garage. Technology can help you with this as well. Consider using noise-canceling headphones or apps that play soothing, ambient sound that blocks noise to create an atmosphere that will help you focus.
Furthermore, you might consider exploring options like shared childcare with trusted friends or family members. Where you can take turns looking after each other's kids, providing each other with a little solitude. The most important thing is that these moments don't have to be long, but your goal is for them to be impactful; it's the quality of the connection with the Lord that counts, not the duration.
Consistent, focused solitude with God, even if it's just a few minutes every day, can infuse you with courage, empower you with the Kingdom purpose, and refill your soul with an overwhelming sense of God's presence in your daily life. It's like you're getting a little taste of heavenly manna to begin your day. A little added sweetness from the Lord sounds good, doesn't it?
The Bible is filled with all kinds of stories of important mountains where people have had powerful encounters with God, but there is one mountain that forever stands above all the rest. It was on Mount Calvary where Jesus bore the sins of the world. It is here that Jesus made a way for all of us to come into the presence of God by grace through faith. Being in God's presence is not just a momentary thing that happens now and then but a present reality that we can live in every moment of every day because of our position in Christ Jesus (Ephesians 2:6–9).
So as we enjoy mountaintop moments with God, let's keep in mind that, as a result of our position in Christ Jesus, we are always in the presence of God. Be encouraged that you don't have to climb a mountain or physically go somewhere to be in God's presence, but that the very presence of God has come to abide in you (John 15:5). God created the mountains to reveal His splendor and beauty, but it is through the cross that He reveals His love and His great desire to have a relationship with you. So as you remember the mountaintop moments, don't forget the most important mountain, which is Mount Calvary.