Dear Friends,

I wonder what would be a 'mountain top' moment for you? A time, no matter how fleeting when all of you, the physical, emotional, spiritual, really feels and knows God's presence close to you. A time when you can genuinely, almost unconsciously, lay down all of the cares and the burdens and simply be.

It may have been when you were actually standing on a mountain top – there is something about that panoramic view of the landscape and looking into the distance that is quite liberating. Viewing the world, literally, from a different perspective. As a friend of mine once said, exercising your eyes to look into the distance. But these kinds of moments can happen anywhere, at any time. They are to be cherished.

Peter, John and James experienced such a moment when invited to join Jesus up the mountain to pray.

We know it today as the 'Transfiguration', where in the midst of Jesus' earthly existence and ministry his full glory as Son of God, his divinity, shone through. The disciples were presented with the divine perspective of Jesus but also with the presence of Moses and Elijah talking to Jesus, and it was overwhelming.

We then read perhaps my favourite part of this story: "Just as they (Mosesand Elijah) were leaving him, Peter said to Jesus, 'Master, it is good for us to be here; let us make three dwellings, one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah' – not knowing what he said." (Luke 9:33)

Having that mountain top experience can be a wonderful, transformative event. But what do you do with it afterwards? Peter falls back to the hospitality position to try and come to terms with what he had witnessed. Let's face it, how many of us resort to making a cup of tea (or beverage of choice) when we feel out of our depth in a situation. It is something familiar and comforting, we know how to do this and we know that other people usually appreciate it. The temptation is though, to stay in that moment of wonder, drinking it in (not the tea!). Embed ourselves in and not deal with how to apply this experience to the 'real' world. Stay in the comfort and safety, wonder and revelation of the mountain top.

In our Christian discipleship we hold in tension the mountain top moments and the messiness of the everyday. Whilst it is good to find and rest in the places that restore us and our connection with the divine, we are a dynamic people of faith. If we only exist on the 'mountain top', we cannot fully live out our discipleship. Just as God entered into the world, in all its chaos and mess.

Recognising what is a 'mountain top' moment for each of us, whether it is a literal one, or found in a nostalgia for the past, a certain place or an activity or way of being, is a good thing but we need to also find the way back down the mountain. To share our connection with God with all those whom we meet and move forward in a Christ-centred manner.

We hold in prayer the talks being had across the world regarding bringing about peace. May it be a true peace even the midst of all the complexities and broken relationships. And for ourselves, as we seek to share the joy and hope that is not dependent on human efforts. Amen.

Every blessing

Rev Karen