This Sunday, February 18th is Transfiguration Sunday, when Christ took Peter, John and James up on a mountain with him to pray. Something amazing happened to them and to Christ. They got a glimpse of Jesus glory, just a small preview of what was to come. In his haste Peter desires to stay right there. Guess I would think the same thing, "It doesn't get any better than this, why go anywhere." Jesus knew this wouldn't be possible, as a matter of fact Jesus knew that His work was yet to be done and it would be a tough walk down the mountain.
How many times have we had those "mountain top" experiences, not wanting to climb down. The climb up was exhilarating and exciting, and the view, wow, can't beat the view, but we have to come down at some point. It is how we look at life, how we view the journey down the mountain into the valley and who we take with us along the journey that makes the difference.
This journey is not easy. It is hard and fraught with disaster, sickness, loss and sadness. I have had a number of people who have talked or emailed me recently feeling "lost" over the recent diagnosis regarding Pastor Maier. Let us take this journey together with the Maiers' as we deal with what it means to live in the valley, but more importantly to stand in the shadow of the cross of Christ recognizing that our suffering is His suffering and His victory is our victory.
As a pastor it is not my job to eliminate suffering or pain, though many times I wish I could. That task has been given to the doctors and nurses who have the training, skills and gifts given by God. In pastoral care, my task is concerned with the very presence of God in the midst of struggles or suffering. For many of us there is a feeling of helplessness, but through this helplessness we turn to the place we should, to God and we can stand in the shadow of the cross, the place where God took upon himself suffering, despair and loneliness so that in the victory of the cross and the resurrection of Christ our helplessness turns to hope and our suffering turns us to the Savior.
Romans 5:2-5 "And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. 3 Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4 perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us." May you find comfort and strength in the hope of the Spirit, in the power of the Cross and the victory of our Risen Lord.Always remember, that in our weakness, he is strongest.