Coming Down (Not Necessarily Calming Down)
Have you ever been on a spiritual high, only to come crashing back down rather suddenly? I am certain we have all been in situations where the Spirit of God spoke clearly to us and we felt revived. Maybe the music of a worship service moved us and cleared our minds so we can concentrate solely on him. Possibly a sermon lifted us to new insights. Then, we head back to our lives; work, kids, everyday stuff that is, quite frankly, not as fun or up lifting.
What keeps us from going down so far we can’t get back up? How do we survive times like that?
Jesus, before he came to live among us, was at the pentacle of heaven. He was, and is, the second person of the eternal, blessed trinity, the Son of God. He was present at creation. Then, he was sent to live among us. So, he came down…and down…and down…becoming a fertilized egg in the womb of a very young girl. God himself became a fetus. He was born and lived a relatively normal life until about age 30. Then, his life came to a climax when he willingly gave himself to fulfill God’s righteous requirement of punishment for sin. He died for us…in our place. “And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross!” (Philippians 2:8) This was how far down he came; from the heights of heaven to the cross.
Another incident during his life was when he took Peter, James, and John up to a mountain and was transfigured before them. The three saw him conversing with Moses and Elijah…talk about elite company! What a scene that must have been! No wonder the disciples were so frightened. This was a moment of glory for Christ. Peter, in his compulsive way, blurted out, “Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you wish, I will put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.” While he was still speaking, a bright cloud covered them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!” (Matthew 17:4-5, NIV)
The four, Jesus, Peter, James and John left the mountain. Not long after that, Jesus faced his death and crucifixion.
We will face our own coming down times as well. The two incidents mentioned above were pretty dramatic and part of God’s plan, but the fact remains, we simply cannot stay on the mountain top too long. It would not be good for us; growth probably would not take place. What would have happened if they had stayed on the mountain, built the shelters, and Jesus decided to not face his death? Christianity would have died a worthless death.
However, and this is what encouraged me to write this blog, God’s sustaining grace is what helps us down from the mountain top to the level of everyday life, and even the dark valleys we might enter. His grace can sustain us through anything. Easy? No. Essential? Absolutely!
Psalm 37:24 says this about God’s sustaining grace during those coming down times.
“Though we stumble, we shall not fall headlong, for the Lord holds us by the hand.” (NRSV)
Ours is to listen, be still (46:10), and trust, no matter what. His grace took Christ from the heights of heaven to the cross, from the mountaintop to his death. It can surely take us back into everyday life and beyond.
Thanks be to God.
