Christian Living
"How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, “Your God reigns!” (Isaiah 52:7)
Oftentimes in our young married life, we would take to the mountains for vacation. Zipping around those mountain roads in our old VW bug with the kids being held hostage in the back seat and no air conditioning was quite an experience, to say the least.
Once, after being jostled around in the back seat for several days, and enduring the hot sun rays coming through the back seat window, my youngest daughter, who never was one to be at a loss for words, once asked, " Daddy, when we get there, will we be there?" In her young mind was the question when we finally reach our destination will we not have to keep going?
One of our favorite spots was Mt. Mitchell, the highest mountain peak in the east located near Ashville, NC. The air was thin, causing our kids to complain about their breathing when they would run and play, the surrounding landscape was always damp with rain, and you could look down and see for miles. Our kids liked doing the echo yells. And it was during this time that CB radios were popular. I could talk for hours with fellow CBers down throughout the vast valleys.
It is these vivid memories that serve as the inspiration for this fiction blog. I trust you will enjoy it. It is much like our baby girl's questioning articulation. "When we get to where we are going with God, will we in fact be there? Well, let's see, please read on.
I was about to take my routine evening walk, when all of a sudden this strange man appeared, seemly out of nowhere. He was dressed exceptionally well and he spoke very politely as he greeted me with the standard greeting of, "Good morning, sir! How are you doing, this fine morning?"
"Doing very well," I replied. Then with no prior warning this gentleman reached out and took my hand. This was sort of a strange maneuver, I thought, but shortly I came to understand why he did.
The next change of event would have been impossible to realize in real life, except that it just seemed to happen supernaturally. I found myself flying through the sky, holding onto his hand, at breakneck speed.
"Where might we be going?" I asked.
His response was, "To the top of God's mountain." Looking around, lo and behold there definitely was a mountain, a snow-capped mountain that seemed to reach to the heavens.
"Why a mountain?" I responded.
"We have but one purpose here, to spend some time in God's presence," the man responded.
It didn't seem to take any time till we were about to land on this snow topped mountain. My question, "When will I know my mission?" I ask.
His response came, "Just watch for the signs, the instructions from your heavenly Father."
Then it happened. This sign was so big, it appeared to reach up and disappear in the clouds. And it seemed to be written by God's own hand . This sign read;
"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” (Acts 1:8)
"What does this instruction mean?" I ask.
His reply again, "Your heavenly Father God has ordained you as His spokesman, and He will give you the skills you need to get the job done in spreading the gospel.
"How can this be and where will He send me?" I ask.
Again, his response was, "Just look down below, in the valley. What do you see?"
"I see what appears to be millions of lights coming from millions of homes," I said.
"Yes, you are so right. Have you met any of the occupants, and talked to them about Jesus?"
"Can't say that I have," I sheepishly replied.
"Now, let us continue to walk for a spell, and move around this mountain," he continued.
Then again, as if by divine intervention, we came upon another like sign which read;
"These were his instructions to them: "The harvest is great, but the workers are few. So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send more workers into his fields." (Luke 10:2)
"Well, I guess this sign is meant for me. But I am unlearned, and I choke up when I talk, especially to strangers I have never met," I whispered.
"Why are you whispering? Is the Lord not on your side?" the man shouted.
"Why yes, the Lord is on my side."
"So then shout it out loud," he continued.
So I shouted out loud. And amazingly, my shout seemed to echo around the entire mountain side. As I yelled out, the home lights below seemed to all flicker.
The man then took me by the hand, and away we went to a third sign which read."
"Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:18-20)
My reply to this final sign was, ""Well, you've got me there, this is the same message my church pastor gave last Sunday. I realize now I have no excuse. I must obey His Word, I must go as best that I can," as I confirmed the instructions in my mind.
The man just shook his head and shouted "Hallelujah!" over and over.
"Now that you have gotten His message, we must leave," he said.
"You see, in order to receive God's blessing to do His will, after getting the instructions, you have to leave the mountain and go down in the valley to where your ministry is. Go to the cities, the towns, the marketplaces, your family, neighbors, friends and all the other unknowns. You will see what I mean, as you travel onward," the man concluded.
So then, as I turned to thank the man for all his concern and advice, the strangest thing happened. Like our initial meeting, the man had disappeared in the same fashion as he first arrived.
Yes, the man was gone, so was the mountain, so was the valley, and so were all the homes below. For you see, I had just awakened from what appeared to be a dream. I knew it had to be a dream, as I my bedclothes were wet all over with sweat, and I was somewhat exhausted, as if I had been exerting myself beyond my human capacity or belief.
What did I do then? What any other red-blooded backslidden Christian would have probably done, fell on my knees by my bedside in earnest prayer, repeating (I John 1:9).
PLEASE VISIT MY WEB PAGE http://ccrobey.wixsite.com/themessage
Author's Postscript (Some excerpts taken from the Ryrie Study Bible foot notes)
The core of this blog is God's "Great Commission" shown in (Matthew 28:18-20) as being solely based upon and backed by the authority of the risen and exalted Lord who promises to be ever-present with His people.
Making disciples of all nations is the main command of this commission. And it is surrounded by three principles: to go, to baptize and to teach, according to God's Word. (2 Timothy 3:16) You see, this is the missionary task of the church in the name of the Holy Trinity, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
Each of the Trinity is distinguished from the others, in that each possesses all the divine attributes; yet the Three are One. This is a mystery which no analogy can illustrate satisfactory. The sun, sunlight, and the power of the sun may come close to a suitable illustration.
And here we see that the personal and empowered presence of the Lord Jesus Christ, who is vividly portrayed in the Gospel, who has promised His followers that He will be with them throughout eternity.
LIFE IS EASY, UP ON THE MOUNTAIN
Life is easy when up on the mounta
Life can be tough in the valley below
Just trust the Father, in good and in bad
His free grace, He will always bestow
Life is easy when up on the mountain
Life can be tough in the valley below
On bended knee, seek His gracious favor
In His precious arms, He will never let go
Life is easy when up on the mountain
Life can be tough in the valley below
Time after time, your spirit may falter
His loving kindness, He will always show
Life is easy when up on the mountain
Life can be tough in the valley below
Come to the Father, seeking forgiveness
In His tender mercy, your spirit will glow
Life is easy when up on the mountain
Life can be tough in the valley below
Just come to Him, and make your plea
By faith your sins, He'll forever forgo
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