The Park Road Pulpit
Sermons from Park Road Baptist Church
Russ and Amy Jacks Dean, Pastors
The Transforming Power of a Mountain
2 Kings 2:1-12 and Mark 9:2-9
Amy Jacks Dean, March 2, 2003
Between the small western towns of Gardner and Livingston, Montana, nestled in the Paradise Valley, there is a great hike. We had heard that we should definitely find the time to climb to Pine Creek Lake. Only 5 miles – let’s make it on overnighter with some friends. We had heard that the view was unbelievable. A waterfall pouring into a glacial lake was our destination. I don’t recall anyone mentioning that the hike was a 5000 foot climb. You do the math – 5000’ in 5 miles – that’s 1000’ per mile which really doesn’t mean that much until you are in the midst of climbing. And then factor in that the hike begins at about 5000’ with a 10,000’ destination. There’s an oxygen issue there. The switchbacks on the trail were ridiculous. The steepness of the trail was unbelievable. My lungs were about to explode, my legs were shaky, and I was exhausted. And we had only just begun. I jumped on the Internet this week to reminisce. Why had I not done this 13 years ago - before the hike? Pine Creek Lake is rated as Skill Level “difficult” and User Type “expert.” I am no expert hiker. But we had been promised a beauty to behold, and I was ready to see this magnificent waterfall pouring into the pristine lake. And shortly we saw it! And it was beautiful. I don’t remember if I was struck so much by its beauty or by the simple fact that we were finished with the climb. But then we noticed that the trail continued. And though my legs felt as though they had hiked 50 miles, I knew in my head that we had not nearly been 5 miles yet. So we persevered. We climbed on until – finally – we saw it – a beautiful waterfall pouring into a gorgeous lake. It was lovely! I don’t remember if I was struck by its pure beauty or by the fact that the climb was complete. But then we noticed that the trail continued. And though my legs felt as though they had hiked 150 miles, I knew in my head that we still had not been 5 miles yet. So we persevered. We climbed on until – finally – and this time it is true – we arrived to a breath-taking view. My words cannot describe to you the beauty of Pine Creek Lake. And the pictures do not do it justice either.
It was dazzling, to use a word from our text for today. And no, we did not witness or experience any transforming, transfiguring event – except that we got away with good friends where we shared the beauty of nature, we broke bread around a campfire, and we rested on a mountain-top far away from civilization. On second thought, it was a transforming experience for mountain-tops are places of transformation.
Yet I fear that we do not know much about mountain-tops and high places. Those places where the presence of God is almost tangible. Those places where the impossible meets God and is transfigured into the Holy Possible. We don’t much about those places – for we are too bound by fear or boredom or apathy or fatigue – to know much about mountain-tops. I do not suggest that we strive to live on these mountain-top places of our faith’s journey – that would be more than we mere mortals could stand; that would be unrealistic; that would not be following Jesus. But I do highly recommend seeing the view from atop every now and then. That view is one of hope. That view is one of transformation. That view is of the ideal. And from that view you shall be transfigured into the very likeness of God.
Now let us leave this metaphorical image and put it all in real terms, real events, real people, real transfigurations. Jim Wallis, editor of Sojourners magazine and social justice advocate recounted a time in 1994: Having been through the hard times with the South African people, I wanted now to be there for the celebration. Still bleary-eyed after a 14-hour flight to Johannesburg, I arrived at the famous FNB stadium in Soweto for what was billed as a “National Service of Thanksgiving” just two days before Nelson Mandela’s inauguration as the first democratically elected president of South Africa. Brigalia Bam of the South African Council of Churches welcomed the joyous crowd on this sun-drenched afternoon by describing the recent events in her country as a “miracle.” I would hear that word over and over again in the extraordinary days that followed. Jim Wallis had been there on a visit in 1988 when all of the freedom movement’s political leaders had been imprisoned, exiled, banned, silenced or killed. That visit, he says, was a time of both great fear and stubborn hope among the people of South Africa. The prospects of change looked extremely dismal, the cost of resistance was very high, and the possibility of South Africa ever being free appeared painfully remote.
Wallis concludes his article by asking: Who would have thought that the people of South Africa would teach the world the power of hope? It is that power which has the capacity to transform us all. (Sojourners, July 1994)
And they all lived happily-ever-after? No. But, I tell you this, somebody (or somebodies) climbed up a mountain and saw the view from on high and they were transfigured and it made all the difference. And there is work yet to be done, but South Africa began a transformation, and we cannot forget the hope that lies in that story.
Some of you must certainly remember a day not so long ago – a day that I can’t even imagine though it barely precedes my birth – a day when blacks and whites in our own country didn’t drink from the same water fountains and didn’t go to the same schools. But someone (or someones) climbed up a mountain and they saw the view from on high and they were transfigured and it made all the difference.
And no we live in racial harmony happily-ever-after? No. I believe we need to climb that mountain again and take another look ‘cause we ain’t there yet. We’ve come a long way, but we need to be transformed again. We need to be transfigured into a dazzling color – so bright that we are blinded by our own transfiguration. And then we need to climb down that mountain and set to work on bringing the view from there to hear – from the impossible to the Holy Possible.
O ye of little faith if you do not believe it can be so.
We need to pray that the leaders of our world will climb mountains – even today - that they will be taken up with chariots of fire in a whirlwind – that’s what the people of God have professed for centuries. And our world leaders need to find those chariots of fire and be taken right up there with them - until they all catch a glimpse of peace. Is it possible? I will continue to say yes. Will it be obvious? No. Will it be easy? Of course not. But until God’s people spend some time on a mountain of transfiguration, there is no hope for any of us. So we’d better call ourselves to prayer. We’d better call ourselves to local action. We’d better make peace in our homes and at our work. We’d better keep peace in our churches and teach peace to our children. We’d better be desperately searching for a mountain-top experience ourselves – not as a place to reside and set up a tent – but a place where we catch a glimpse of the nature of God so that we can bring the Kingdom on earth as it is in heaven. To that end, Russ and I invite you to join us on the Wednesdays of Lent, beginning this Wednesday which is Ash Wednesday, to observe a daylight fast. For Muslims, the month of Ramadan is observed with daylight fasting as a time of reflection and self-transformation dedicated to the glory of God. Jews have a traditional practice of communal fasting to avert a calamity (known as a Ta’anit Tzibur al HaTzarah). Christians this week, enter the season of Lent, a time of self-reflection and confession to prepare ourselves for the celebration of Resurrection. On the Wednesdays of Lent, instead of filling our bellies, we will fill our souls with prayers for peace and listening intently for the call of God in our lives for action. For us, the fast will be broken at our Wednesday Night Supper. No matter where you stand on the politics of it all, The Church has a calling to pray for peace, to make a way for peace, to practice peace, and to preach peace. And we are The Church.
But lest we only leave this to a political realm, you must know that transformation and transfiguration can happen right here, among us, in our own daily lives. Sometimes people say hurtful things, hateful things – vowing to never speak again – even within families. But somehow, by the grace of God, somebody climbs a mountain and they see the view from on high and they are transfigured and the words “I’m sorry” spill from their lips and “I forgive you” is graciously offered. And a family becomes whole again.
And they all live happily-ever-after? No – they’re a family! But they make first step on the journey of the impossible to the Holy Possible.
O ye of little faith, if you do not believe it can be so.
Sometimes people live under the burden of shame, guilt, depression, mental illness, divorce, dysfunction or grief. Sometimes with therapy, sometimes with supervised medication, sometimes when the time is finally right, the heaviness of the weight is lifted just enough and with much work and patience and courage and strength, someone catches a glimpse of the mountain-top for themselves – and there they find hope. And that makes all the difference. Always? No. Yet I do believe that God is always, always with us doing all that God can do to transform our lives, and that is why it is imperative that we commit to partnering with God in this journey toward an abundance of life knowing that we are never alone.
Where are the mountain-tops, you may ask – desperately wanting to take a hike today. Well let me commend you for you have started at a good place. If you are here, let me encourage you to come here again and come here often and come here regularly. There is nothing magical about this place, but I can tell you that God does exist powerfully in community. Almost all the times I would claim as mountain-top transfigurations have happened in community among others who are climbing their way as well. I’m not saying that it can’t happen alone, but there is power in the community and that is precisely why I believe so much in The Church.
My guess is that if you don’t know where to find the presence of God it is not because you don’t know where to look, it’s because you don’t stop to look. And chances are when you stop and keep silence, reverently listening; you will realize that the very real presence of God resides within. That is precisely why we believe in keeping silence upon entering this sanctuary for worship. For there are people here who have come to seek God, to follow in the Way of Jesus, and be changed – transfigured, if you will.
On the Internet, I found one hiker’s description of the Pine Creek Lake hike: We try to hike this trail once a year -- it's that awesome. It is a strenuous hike but keep in mind if you persevere, you won't be disappointed. It's probably one of the most beautiful places around. Along the way, the vast array of wildflowers is unmatched. There are huge, smooth rocks around the lake which are fun to climb on or "if you dare" you can jump off them into Pine Creek Lake to cool off -- but only if you dare! The last time we hiked this trail, we saw a black bear. This trip is highly recommended!
What more can I say? But may it be so.