Mountain Top Moments

It seems likely that many of us, in greater or lesser intensity, have experienced a life impacting moment when either mentally or spiritually or both we have been moved in a special way, sensitive to what common usage defines as a “Mountain Top Experience”.

 

Circumstances can be widely various. Perhaps the impact of an inspired speaker in the style of Dr. Billy Graham or other evangelists for example? An outstanding orchestral concert or corporate choral performance as in the case of the recent 50^th Birthday celebration of “Songs of Praise”? Maybe participation in the Parish Houseparty? Nearer home, a wedding or anniversary or the birth of the first born child? On a different plane, the impact of creation and peaceful solitude of the great outdoors offering time for retrospection and reflection on blessings enjoyed? Whatever the inspiration, lives are enriched in consequence – and remembered!

 

At a personal level, the Lakeland Fells and crags have often provided especially inspiring moments. There is something very special about the challenges and sense of achievement in climbing in high places but perhaps especially in the quiet solitude which allows and promotes reflection on the verities of life? Have you noticed how many of the more significant happenings recorded in the gospels are set on mountains? Perhaps no accident that the psalmist should write “I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth.” Maybe just a case of being open and receptive?

 

Thanks to the teaching programme for September and October, under the title “”Exploring Exodus”, we have been confronted with what for the mass of people involved must surely have been an event of enormous significance and all on the basis of a promise given by God. As the story has been unpacked the historical build up to the departure from Egypt and in particular the role of Moses called by God to lead the exodus and to serve as mentor during the long and testing journey to the “Promised Land” speaks of the utmost trust and faith.. His meeting with and listening to God (we read on high ground of Mount Horeb and maybe with Mount Sinai in sight) must literally, physically and spiritually have been for him a “mountain top moment”?

 

In essence, the saga of the Exodus and our own highlight experiences in daily living seem to depend upon making space to meet and listen to the guiding counsel of God in and through Jesus Christ and the motivation of the Holy Spirit. Ours is to be thankful for such blessings?