This is a Good Place, Lord.

I have noticed as I have aged that I have done more of what I said I wouldn’t do if I aged. I promised myself and a few others I would try not and get to set in my ways. I would opt for flexibility and embrace change more agreeably. I would try and stay open to what life’s unpredictable wave might roll in my direction. I made a commitment to open the door to more opportunities to grow. If I had to give myself a grade, the optimist in me would give me a B-, but the reality is I have missed the target more often and by a greater margin than I care to admit. I like routine, and my planner is closer at heart than I could have forecast. Life’s unpredictable waves take me into the undertow, and when opportunity knocks, sometimes I pretend I am not home. The upside is I am far more content. The downside is I don’t like change. Especially if I like where I am in life, my prayer life can start off with thanksgiving and be followed up with something like “Please let this last.” I can be downright passionate about not changing.

When I was developing my focus for this passion series, I came across the account of the Transfiguration of Christ on the mountain and knew it was a good place, literally and figuratively, to stop, meditate and take a fresh look at this event as it occurs about a week after Jesus predicts his death for the first time. During this conversation, Jesus shared with the disciples that things are about to change. Jesus will return to Jerusalem, where He will suffer many terrible things at the Pharisees and religious leaders’ hands. Jesus relays He will be killed but will rise from the dead on the third day. As usual, Peter, the disciple who is known to have a passionate temperament, rebukes Jesus and tells Him this will never happen. What happens next is that Peter receives the strongest rebuke that Jesus makes to any follower in scripture. Jesus refers to Peter as “Satan” and tells Peter he is looking at things the wrong way. Jesus continues with a warning that if anyone wants to be His disciple, they must turn from their own agenda, be willing to embrace suffering, and realize that the kingdom of God has different priorities and has a different outcome than they are expecting. Not only did Jesus tell them circumstances were going to change, this rebuke of Peter reminds us that those who follow Christ must also embrace a mind change and a life change.

About six days later, Jesus takes Peter and the two brothers, James and John, up to a high mountain to be alone. However, right before their eyes, Jesus” appearance was transformed so that His face shone like the sun and His clothes became radiantly white. Jesus changed right before their eyes. Then Jesus is instantaneously joined by 2 of the most well-known people in the bible, Moses, and Elijah. This would be incredibly overwhelming for 3 Hebrew boys. Moses and Elijah are the two most revered people in the Jewish faith, and the three disciples recognized them as they spoke to Jesus. But their teacher, their Rabbi, whom they have seen heal the sick, deliver folks from demons, is in a conference with the guy who delivered the law and the greatest prophet in history. And Jesus resembles more of heaven than earth, and this experience is confirmed by God’s thunderous voice from heaven. All three are so overtaken that Peter responds by volunteering to build not 1 but 3 tabernacles in their honor. Peter recognizes this is a good place, so he wants to establish residency, Make it a place to stay. Remember, deep down; Peter is probably still haunted by the words of Jesus of His soon and coming death the week before. This glorious ethereal event is a far cry from the heaviness of the cross and the conversation surrounding the cost of following Christ. No wonder Peter wants to stay. I can relate to this! Ever have a moment of worship that transports you to another place where the fight of the human plight and the burden of struggle are far away and dim? I have. Ever have a season of well-being where you are more than thankful but find yourself pitifully praying my prayer of “please let this last”? Been there and done that. But the passion of Christ is so plainly revealed even in this glorious display of splendor as Moses, Elijah, and all of creation are waiting for the wrong to be righted as Jesus prepares for His mission of the cross. The glory of the transfiguration on the mountaintop does not compare to the glory of resurrection morning when the dark tomb was opened wide. The mountaintop was a good place, but a greater place was being secured for these three disciples. Eternity in heaven would be the reward of the cross down below as Christ gave his life for all the skeptics, the unfaithful, mockers and scorners, and yes, even the Pharisees who thought they were always in a “good place” of their own making.

I reflect on my own selfish desire to never have changed, to permanently park in every good place from my perspective that God leads me. But Jesus has said I must leave even a good place sometimes because I am to pick up my cross and follow after Him…He has called me to worship but also to serve. I will never grow; my faith and trust in God will never deepen if I only seek the glory and never hunger after and taste of the sufficient grace Christ offers in my daily life. I need to embrace the changes God allows to come into my life. Though they may sting with pain, though it may take me off the path, I have chosen for myself. They lead to places where I can be overwhelmed by God’s glory and power. Places where the light from Him illuminates the dark places I must travel through. A place where I can catch a glimpse as the disciples did on the mountaintop. A glimpse of what is to come., the preview of heaven. I’m sure when Peter, James, and John were ushered into heaven, the mountaintop paled in comparison. The bible reminds us, “it has not entered into the hearts and minds of men, what God has prepared for those who love Him. (1 Corinthians 2:9)

Lord, let me celebrate the high places, help me not to fear but prevail in the hard places. Stir my passion for the place you will lead me. Remind me dwelling with you is the best place in this life and the life to come.