Transformed!
Michele McGrath of Huntington Beach, CA, USA
Jesus took Peter and the brothers, James and John, and led them up a high mountain. His appearance changed from the inside out right before their eyes. Sunlight poured from his face, His clothes were filled with light. Peter broke in, “Master, this is a great moment! What would you think if I built three memorials here on the mountain-one for you, one for Moses, one for Elijah?” -Matthew 17:1-4 The Message
I grew up going to camps at Camp Buckhorn in Idyllwild, California, which is literally at the mile-high elevation of 5,000 feet. No matter the location, however-a rented retreat center, a historic manor house, dormitories set amid rolling hills, cabins and tents at the seashore or prairie, lakeside or river-close, near the end of every family camp I’ve attended, there comes a time when those gathered confess a reluctance to leave the mountaintop experience to go back to the “real world.”
Gathering is an important part of our discipleship. Shared time together in community helps us develop our discipleship and cultivates safe space where we can awaken to the future God is calling into being.
But ultimately, we are called into the world God created, to embody and enact God’s shalom in the world. We are called not just to awaken and dream, but to move into the world to take risks and experiment with new ways to bring God’s future near to those who need it most.
I sympathize with Peter who wanted to stay where he was and memorialize his powerful mountaintop experience. But we are here today because Jesus, Peter, and the rest did not stay there. They went, they risked, and they invited people to Christ. Let’s do the same!
Prayer Phrase
I surrender into your love, O God.
Spiritual Practice
Surrender
What might it look like to surrender a little to God each day? A simple prayer of surrender can help us become aware of God’s consistent invitations to deeper relationship and awareness. Imagine when you encounter a challenging person or situation silently uttering this prayer, “I surrender into your love, O God.” The same prayer can be meaningful in moments of joy and gratitude as a way of returning to the awareness of oneness with God. It’s ok if we don’t surrender everything all at once all the time. The prayer of surrender is a constant practice of returning little by little to the deepest love that is the ground of our being and desires wholeness and oneness for us and all creation.
Today’s Prayer for Peace
Engage in a daily practice of praying for peace in our world. Click here to read today’s prayer and be part of this practice of peace.
