+JMJ
Ever find yourself feeling like you are being left behind? Or left out of some big secret? That the Lord is absent and not listening to you?
I most certainly have. As I was mediating on the transfiguration I was drawn to the disciples that would have been left behind at the base of the mountain. Our Lord only took James, John, and Peter to the summit with Him. I can tell you that would have left me pretty hurt. Why didn’t He choose me to go with Him? What happened up there? Why didn’t He want to include me?
This sort of attitude is not of the Lord and He showed me in the following contemplation that just because I don’t seem to be included does not mean He is not doing wonderful things.
The Transfiguration
And after six days Jesus taketh unto Him Peter and James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into a high mountain apart. And He was transfigured before them. And His face did shine as the sun, and His garments became white as snow. And behold there appeared to them Moses and Elias talking with him.
And Peter answering, said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here. If Thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles, one for Thee, and one for Moses, and on for Elias.
And as he was speaking, behold a bright cloud overshadowed them. And lo a voice out of the cloud, saying, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear ye Him.”
And the disciples hearing, fell upon their face, and were very much afraid. And Jesus came and touched them and said to them, “Arise, and fear not.” And they lifting their eyes saw no one but only Jesus.
And as they came down from the mountain, Jesus charged them, saying, “Tell the vision to no man, till the Son of man be risen from the dead.” -Matthew 17:1-9
My Contemplation
I see myself among the disciples but am not chosen to ascend the mountain with Him. My heart is hurt as I watch them go. “Why can’t I go too?” My heart cries out.
A heavy silence fills the air that seems to stretch on for hours. A large mass of white clouds start to roll in and settle over the top of the mountain, making it impossible to see the summit above.
As I look up towards the top of the mountain, trying to see it, it grows brighter and brighter as rays of light seem to shoot out from the clouds crowing it with glorious light. I have to shield my eyes from the dazzling flash. They linger for a moment and disappear. There is a roll of thunder that seems to shake the whole mountain and the earth below. Then everything goes quiet again.
They finally come back down the mountain, and we all have so many questions. The Lord smiles graciously, but gently refuses to answer our questions about what happened up on the mountain. Peter, James, and John also refuse to answer our questions. They are quiet and reserved, but not unfriendly. Peter says to me, “Trust Him, He is doing amazing things.”
I like to be included… as most people do I think. I can feel that despairing feeling as Jesus chooses James, John, and Peter to accompany Him up the mountain. I can see myself saying, “I like to hike. I would like to go too? I don’t understand why I can’t go too?” And being crushed when the Lord tells me to stay behind. The wounded pride is real. That’s where the realization hits…. When pride is involved so is the enemy.
The Lord instructed James, John, and Peter not to speak of what happened on top of the mountain “until the Son of Man had risen from the dead.” Why? The others may not have been ready to see the glory of God. They needed to trust Him first.
Maybe I’m not ready to climb that particular summit I have my eyes on. Maybe there are preparations I need to make before I can tackle that mountain. God knows if I am ready or not, and I need to trust that He will let me see what is at the top, according to His timeframe, not just when I think I am ready.
So, it is important to remember that I am not being excluded from the greatness above. It is simply the Lord telling me, ‘Not yet, Lily. You are not ready for that summit yet. Wait for me to prepare the way for you. But trust that I am doing marvelous things until you are ready.”
Thrive in Jesus, my Friends!
Have you ever found yourself in place where you feel left behind? Leave me a comment and let me know!
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