Wintry Days & Christian Service
Peter said to Jesus, "Lord, it is good that we are here. If you wish,
I will make three tents here, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah."
(Matthew 17:4)
Beloved Friends in Christ,
Anyone who knows me knows that I am not a fan of winter weather. I love the warm stuff. So it is with a great deal of joy that I am looking forward to my first ever Caribbean cruise in a few weeks time. How refreshing the warm breeze will be. I can almost hear myself saying "It is good Lord to be here".
That is what the apostle Peter said when he and two other disciples stood before Jesus on the mount where Jesus was transfigured. Of course what Peter saw and experienced that day was by far more invigorating than any trip south. There on the mountain-top, Peter received a foretaste of heaven's glory. No wonder he wanted to stay and set up camp.
But he could not. The world of which he was still a part waited below. There was work to be done, and the Lord had plans for his participation in that work. So on that day when Peter saw the Lord transfigured, a second great thing happened. Down the mountain Peter and the others with him went.
On the 22nd day of this month, Christians will be celebrating the transfiguration of our Lord, or at least they should be. After all, there are more events worth celebrating in the life of Christ than just His birth (Christmas) and His death and resurrection (Easter).
The 22nd of February is also the day when I will begin my journey homeward from the balmy south. How fitting. For as the Lord had work for the disciples to do upon their decent from the mountain, my journey north will serve as a reminder for me that the Lord has work for me and you to do.
Vacations are wonderful, but our purpose on this earth is not simply to enjoy life. As long as the Lord allows us to walk the face of this planet, we are here to serve. The word of salvation through faith in Christ Jesus is ours to proclaim, so that others might one day see the eternally transfigured Christ in His heavenly glory together with us.
With this hope in our hearts, though we may find ourselves at the foot of a wintry Canadian mountain, let us say, "It is good Lord to be here".
In His service,
Pastor Richard A. Frey