Daily Devotional: February 16

Tranfiguration of Christ, Raphael, 1520

I've never been transfigured. Just to get that out of the way. I've never had myself split into two other representations of my self and then appear to others. However, I have been in the presence of God during intense times of prayer or worship. I have felt the Spirit move over me and rest as I felt a warmth and peace I couldn't describe.

I know what it is like feel intense joy in the presence of God. A joy like that is indescribable and when you are there you just want to stay there forever. Often these times are with my fellow believers, during corporate worship. Unfortunately, not every church service can usher people into that type of ecstatic state.

Can we just stay here?

When this happens. When you are you completely removed from your self, completely centered on an Object of true beauty, and completely unaware of the stresses of life, you don't want that moment to end. It is a sacred, holy moment. It is a fleeting glimpse of heaven and unfiltered love available to you in a moment. It is drinking from the fire hydrant of Grace. There is no where else you would rather be.

Can we just stay here?

In this story from Matthew 18, two disciples are taken from the normal world and thrust into the presence of Christ's glory. It is the first true taste of this glory these men have ever had. At this moment, Peter speaks for all of us who have ever been transported to an experience of pure worship. He doesn't want to go back to wandering around and hearing people tell Jesus either to heal them or that Jesus is a heretic. Peter just wants to stay on this mountain forever.

Jesus tells them to get up, and then He begins to walk down the mountain. Jesus understands that these times of worship aren't for us. They are to revive us, to re-energize us, to center us so that we can then come down off the mountain and get to work.

Can we just stay here?

In many liturgical church services, the pastor or leader will end the meeting by saying some version of "our worship has ended, let our service begin," because this is an ancient truth. We exist to do good things for others. We are fed by the Spirit to pour ourselves out for other people outside the walls of an organized church.

Thank God for the brief moments in which He makes Himself known to you. Pray for more of those moments. Be mindful of how they provide you with the tools to help others.