Peter said to Jesus, "Rabbi, it is good for us to be here. Let us put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah." (Mark 9:5 NIV)
I once heard a disillusioned Christian remark "I wish I could just start a church with only people who truly love an want to serve Jesus." It does sound great, doesn't it? No church politics, no petty bickering, no personality clashes... Just love, love, love.
It sure would be easy to love those who just want to love. It would be so easy to serve those who come with humble hearts asking for what they need. It would be so easy with no rules to follow and everybody just got along. Ahh, yes... The mountaintop. But that is not where Jesus calls us to serve. He calls us to a real world full of real people. And where there are real people we will find politics, bickering and selfishness. We will have to serve people who think they are entitled to whatever we have to give. We will find dishonesty, greed and bitterness among those we are called to help. And we will find the same even among those we serve alongside.
Jesus never said that we would get to serve ON the mountaintop. No, he gives us occasional glimpses of his glory to keep us going, but the work is in the valley. We are continually challenged to love the unlovable, to be kind to those who treat us unkindly and to serve those who demand whatever we have to give. We are sometimes rewarded with a sincere "thank you," or a hug or tears of gratitude...and that helps.
But there is also an inner joy to serving even when we are unappreciated. Christ transfigures within us and we feel that radiant glow that warms and encourages us. Though we can't serve on the mountaintop, if we have been there, we always keep a part of it with us.
Lord Jesus,
Keep shining in our hearts even as we do your work in the darkness. Amen.
Joys: yesterday's bright sunshine; tea with Chelsea; a tiny green sprout popping up in Cecelia's and my strawberry planter... She will be so excited!
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