Rocky mountain high
Is seeking “mountain top” experiences a normal part of the Christian life?
People often describe the Christian life as an inevitable series of peaks and valleys, highs and lows. To be sure, all humans experience emotional ups and downs in their lives. Likewise, some seek those highs to help get over, or escape, those lows. What is the Christian life supposed to look like? Should it look like the readout from a heart monitor, or should it be more stable with the occasional dip and peak? Are we encouraged by Scripture to seek those mountaintop experiences, or do true such events occur organically?
There is no doubt, we all want that mountaintop experience, and when it happens, the effects often last at least for a little while; however, as with any such high, the descent back to “normal” or even below is inescapable.
In Matthew 17, we read of a real mountaintop experience that occurred for those in the presence of Jesus:
Six days later Jesus took with Him Peter and James and John his brother, and led them up on a high mountain by themselves. And He was transfigured before them; and His face shone like the sun, and His garments became as white as light. And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with Him. Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here; if You wish, I will make three tabernacles here, one for You, and one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” While he was still speaking, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and behold, a voice out of the cloud said, “This is My beloved Son, with whom I am well-pleased; listen to Him!” When the disciples heard this, they fell face down to the ground and were terrified. And Jesus came to them and touched them and said, “Get up, and do not be afraid.” And lifting up their eyes, they saw no one except Jesus Himself alone.
Matthew 17:1-8
This was the ultimate mountaintop experience. So great was it for them, that Peter was ready to set up camp for Jesus, Moses and Elijah. He clearly thought this something to hold onto. But here’s the thing - Peter, James, and John did not go seeking that experience. It was not something they were looking for; it was nothing they had ever heard of. They were simply walking with Jesus, as had been their lot for quite some time, and it happened. There was no precursor or warning. They had not heard about someone else having the experience at their intended destination. They simply traveled up the mountain with Jesus, and out of the blue, they were struck by the radiance of Jesus.
Though Peter wanted to put up tents, the experience ended as God spoke to them audibly and they fell on their faces in fear. Then Jesus led Peter, James, and John back down the mountain. Consider that only three of Jesus’ disciples were in His company for this encounter. Ruminate on the idea that they also trembled in terror at God’s presence. Then contemplate Jesus commanding them to not tell of this until after His resurrection. This is completely contrary to what we see so often in modern Christianity. These men weren’t searching for an emotional high; they were walking with Jesus. They didn’t send word down the mountain for others to join them; they stood in wonder. When they returned, they did not revel in the experience or spread the word; they continued on with the Lord as they had already been.
Neither did Jesus come down and tell others to seek such experience. He had a job to do, going to the cross to die for our sins; and he left us a job: “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me” (Mt. 16: 24; Lk. 9:23). As I heard someone aptly say recently, “Christianity is a cross, not a carnival.” Jesus’ walk to Golgotha carrying His cross was neither easy nor pleasant, and if we are to follow Him, this is what we should expect.
Does that mean we don’t experience “joy”? God forbid! Even in the midst of trials we should have joy. James exhorts us to “consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance” (Jas. 1:2). Despite imprisonment, at midnight, Paul and Silas “were praying and singing hymns of praise to God” (Acts 16:25). Where does that joy come from? Jesus tells us, it is from bearing fruit, from walking with Him:
My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples. Just as the Father has loved Me, I have also loved you; abide in My love. If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love; just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love. These things I have spoken to you so that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full.
John 15:8-11
There is no escape from the adversities of life. They are an unavoidable aspect of the fallen, cursed world in which we live. Yet in walking with the Spirit, Who gives us strength to follow in Jesus’ steps, in obedient living, we find joy. Joy is one of the fruits we bear (we do not produce it, the Spirit does - just as a branch on a tree does not produce fruit, it bears the fruit produced from the root), along with love, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control (Gal. 5:22).
This being the case, is there reason, or Biblical instruction, to pursue one emotional high after another? Should we rely on such intoxication to carry us through? There is not, and we should not.
The Christian life is about a consistent walk, it is not about mountain climbing. Paul likened it to running a race:
Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win. Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They then do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. Therefore I run in such a way, as not without aim; I box in such a way, as not beating the air; but I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified.
1 Corinthians 9:24-27
Anyone who has ever endeavored to get in shape or train for a race understands Paul’s analogy. Motivation waxes and wanes; therefore, discipline and consistency are key. If one depends on feelings to get to the gym and workout, goals will never be met. Many who strive for fitness try to shortcut the process, looking for the next pill, powder, or device that promises to transform their bodies overnight. These always lead to disappointment, because fitness isn’t found in a bottle or on a shelf, no matter how slick the packaging nor how appealing the marketing. Fitness is only achieved and maintained through continued hard work.
In the same way, there is no quick fix to developing a deeper relationship with God. As I quoted Luke earlier, it is a daily taking up of one’s cross. Seeking a sensation will not draw you closer. If we depend on our feelings for our faith or walk, we will find ourselves often deterred, deceived, and dejected. Scripture warns us, “The heart is more deceitful than all else and is desperately sick; who can understand it?” (Jer. 17:9) Emotion does not equate to spirituality.
Pursuing a feeling to carry us through is little different from an alcoholic or drug addict chasing his next high - there is always a crash that follows, and the hunt again begins to fill the void left behind. Where then does the addict run? To the maker of the potion? No - back to the dealer, whether that be a person or place. This is the lot and peril of Christian emotionalism. The emotionalist seeks the dealer, not the Maker, though they may frame the quest in the language of spirituality. Needing such intoxication is a sign of spiritual illness, not spiritual health. Going after experiences in this manner reveals a failure to truly place faith and dependence in the One who strengthens us. Instead of yearning for the next spiritual ecstasy, we must focus on noticing the myriad ways God works in our lives daily. We must spend time at His feet, reading His word and praying. While there will be times our joy will lead to elation, it is not that which we follow - we are to follow Christ and find our joy in Him, despite our difficulties, as Jesus Himself exhorted:
“These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.”
John 16:33
It comes as no surprise these days that people only want the good parts of everything they do. They quit jobs when times get rough, find new friends when they have a disagreement with a friend, even get divorced or cheat when marriage becomes “stagnant.”
This is why I worry about so many people coming to faith because of Revivals like Ashbury. Like any other thing in life, faith is not an easy walk. It requires commitment, dedication, continuous building.. and walking away from it is more detrimental than walking away from anything else in life. Faith, and a relationship with God and His son Jesus, is required for “eternal life” (there’s a lot more to say here but this is Chad’s Substack)
That is why I’m glad that Chad is a close (though remote) friend of mine. His work here explains very well the issues in our country today and in faith today.
Believing in God is just a part of the blessing of Christianity and I often find many Christian’s that don’t actually follow what scripture says.
The best way to find joy always in faith and any other aspects of life is to develop and maintain that relationship. For faith, it’s done through constant scripture study and talking to God, be it by prayer or as if He’s standing in front of you. When you need direction, turn to the Bible! I’ve found it many many times in even just this last month or two! Talk to God, let him hear your grievances! We vent to friends and co-workers, why not vent to The One who can and WIlL actually help?
Ok I’m carried away. But we all understand not just what I’m saying, but more importantly what Chad says here.
I think that a big part of the lesson is to be grateful for the gift(s) that God bestows upon you. And if you don't anticipate/expect/DEMAND any particular gift in a certain time frame, or place, you will be SURPRISED and FULFILLED beyond your wildest dreams.
I also find it both humorous and incredibly sad that people want to put that sort of expectation upon GOD. Like God is going to perform tricks on command like any decently trained dog. "Raise the dead, God. Come on, raise the dead."
Or people use god (intentional lower case g) as a magic 8 ball. SHAKE SHAKE SHAKE Should I go after that ...new job?...prety girl?...SHAKE SHAKE SHAKE, will I get the promotion I so greatly deserve?
I can't really speak for others, but MY relationship with God is NOTHING like Him being the magician at my 8th birthday party and He is there to grant me my every wish or answer every question ON DEMAND.
I find solace in the littlest of things in life (at least now), similar to what Chad talks about in this article. I can't FORCE my relationship with God to be anything other than what it is. And He is ALWAYS the director of events. I just need to keep alert for the time that He DOES send be a message.