The Mountaintop Experience

So, I've been thinking about this topic for quite some time now and it has come up continually over the years of attending countless Christian camps, retreats, concerts or even mission trips. The idea that we are going to have an awesome time at yet another life-changing Christian event and will get closer to God as He meets us there. Last Friday, I went to a worship team meeting and practice for Intervarsity Christian Fellowship and we talked about the upcoming retreat which I am attending called Trilogy. Anyways, when it got around to prayer requests many of the people there were asking that God will show up at Trilogy and that His presence will be felt throughout the entire place and that people's lives will be changed. Now, I'm all for that don't get me wrong. But I couldn't help but think, God always shows up ALL the time. We just have to be willing and moldable vessels for Him to shape. And why is it that we look forward to growing closer to God at these retreats anyway? Why aren't we trying to do that daily? I'll tell you why....we're lazy. We expect the "mountaintop experience" to come to us. We are complacent. We want God to cater to our needs, think about it...it's truer than you want to believe. What needs to happen is the realization that no change occurs unless a heart change occurs first. Stop expecting the "mountain" to come and rescue you. Instead, make it a point to draw closer to Him daily rather than waiting for your next "Retreat Re-Charge." Stop praying for God to show up and start praying that you show up for God.

What's Your Story?

Awhile ago, a man named Dan gave a message about what a real story consists of. First of all, you have your characters (we will just focus on the main characters for time's sake, whether protagonist or antagonist) . You grow to either love or hate these characters depending on the description of events that they have undergone and how they have handled those situations. For example, enter John, a father of three children (we'll say 2 boys and a girl) and whose wife just recently passed away in a terrible accident. [Already, you begin to feel sympathy towards this character but need to know more about him before you form your opinion.] John struggles with the tough loss of his wife while also trying to provide for his children whom he loves dearly (this is where you begin to see his character unfold). He fights to put food on the table for his children by boxing in the ring every Friday night. John risks everything every time he steps into the ring, always facing opponents much bigger and stronger than he was. But his motivation fueled him to conquer his giants. Anyways, I think you get the point about the whole description thing. But the main point is that John isn't one dimensional, he has feelings and convictions that govern his life. A good story contains characters that take risks.

Secondly, a good story has a good plot. This plot contains conflicts, turning points, and resolutions which build upon the characters while captivating your interest. But your interest is only sparked if the plot is interesting, no one reads a boring story (unless you must for school).

So think about it. What if your life were a book? Would people want to read your story? Do you take risks? Do you face conflicts and overcome them for the better? Or are you a boring read who hides behind the scenes, only wanting to meet the bare minimum? I encourage you to look within yourself and realize that Christ's life was the best book of all (DUH!), He gave His life as the biggest risk just for you and He wants to be the resolution to the conflicts you face. If you want to be the #1 Best Seller, you need to be Best Seller material. So...let's hear it.